By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOBART – After seeing an increase in road salt usage this past winter, the village of Hobart wants to ensure it will be supplied for the next plowing season.
Public Works Director Jerry Lancelle reported to Hobart’s board members Wednesday, April 3, the village used 1,090 tons salt to treat roads for the 2018-19 plowing season, which was 285 tons more than the eight-year average.
After starting off this past season with approximately 400 tons in the salt shed, Lancelle reported 700 tons were purchased with the 2018-19 contract with the state as well as a reserve amount of 140 tons.
“Basically, we don’t have enough salt in our shed right now,” said Lancelle, who noted only 150 tons remain after the 2018-19 season.
To ensure the village has enough salt for the start of the 2019-20 plowing season, Lancelle said Hobart needs to purchase salt under the “early fill” clause of the state salt contract in which the salt must be purchased and delivered by Dec. 1.
Based on a per-ton cost of $68.05, Lancelle said the 400-ton purchase would cost $27,220 with 2019 capital road funds used.
It would increase the supply to 550 tons in the salt shed and should get the village through until the next budget year, unless there is bad weather at the end of 2019.
“Generally, November and December have not been too bad for salting,” he said.
Next January or February, Lancelle said the village would purchase its seasonal fill of salt with 600 tons for $40,830 out of budgeted funds for 2020.
With 1,000 tons of salt being purchased for next winter, Lancelle also noted the village could purchase up to an additional 20 percent of the total contract, if needed, with another 200 tons for $13,610.
“We do not have to purchase the reserve salt,” he said. “We can purchase the salt at the contract price or we can elect to not purchase it. We have until April 30, 2020, to make that decision… We generally budget for that reserve in case we do want to purchase it, or have that option.”
When including the possible reserve, Lancelle said the village could have 1,350 tons of salt available for the 2019-20 plowing season.
Salt budget
Lancelle said the 2019 budget for salt was depleted because of heavier snows in January and February.
“We had a lot of ice accumulation and snowstorms that we had to go out and salt for,” he said. “That’s where it eats up a lot of salt.”
Compared to how much Hobart is able to buy road salt through the state contract, Lancelle said he would expect the cost to be double if the village purchased salt on its own.
Village Administrator Aaron Kramer said only $1,079 of Hobart’s 2019 road salt budget of around $46,000 remained for this year.
Though there is “virtually nothing” left in this year’s budget for salt, Kramer noted road bids approved last month came in under budget around $59,000.
That money would be able to go back to the general fund and could be applied for the road salt budget line item with the $27,220 early purchase.
Kramer said the seasonal fill amount of $40,830 and a portion of the anticipated reserve amount could go into the 2020 budget for salt, while the contingency fund would be available as a last resort to pay for any remaining amount of salt reserves purchased next year.
“As we amend the budget this year and plan for next year, what I’m telling you is we can do this budgetarily,” he said.
Being that the matter of the village’s road salt supply was not on the board’s agenda for a vote, Kramer said he presented the matter for informational purposes only as to signing the contract due by April 12.
“Your only action will be coming this autumn when you amend the budget,” Kramer said. “You will see that money come back.”