Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Snow Ice Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Highway officials warn of supply and cost pressures for snow and ice control
Summary
County highway staff told commissioners material shortages and rising market prices for cinders/salt are forcing an increase to snow and ice control funding; alternatives such as brine equipment and 'beet juice' were discussed.
Highway staff told the commission that a long‑standing supplier of cinders is no longer available, increasing costs and prompting a proposed rise in the snow and ice control line from $30,000 to $60,000.
The presenter said the county has relied on a supplier at the power plant and that shortfalls forced consideration of alternatives, adding, "Solve right now is running about $90 a ton," when discussing current market prices for the material used (transcript wording as spoken). Commissioners asked whether the county could buy from other vendors, and staff said they had contacted multiple vendors but supply is tight and some counties report similar shortages.
Options discussed included purchasing brine equipment (a water‑salt mixture applied before storms), which requires significant upfront investment in tanks and plumbing, and using a beet‑juice product that works in certain temperatures but carries high costs. The highway representative noted brine is common on state routes and in nearby cities but emphasized high startup costs and ongoing brine expenses.
No procurement decision was made during the hearing; commissioners asked staff to continue vendor outreach and return with cost estimates and operational tradeoffs before committing to equipment purchases.
