The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

 

Published October 8, 2014

City salt problem solved

 

By Jeff Thompson
OSAGE BEACH - The Public Works Director credits local media outlets with the city’s new source of de-icing salt for the upcoming winter season.

The Board of Aldermen approved both the bid from Kansas Salt for 600 tons of de-icing salt at $11 a ton as well as a budget amendment covering the additional cost.

The city had originally budgeted $40,000 for de-icing salt for the 2014-2015 winter months.

Public Works Director Nick Edelman said recent stories in lake area newspapers about the city’s not receiving any bids for salt this year led to Kansas Salt contacting the city.

“I would like to thank the local media for bringing the vendor to us,” Edelman said.
There was one catch for this new bidder.

The city usually commits to a certain tonnage of salt but buys it in 150-ton increments, Edelman said; Kansas Salt would sell the city 600 tons but only all at once for a total cost of $66,600.

Alderman Phyllis Marose asked Edelman if he had negotiated with the vendor after receiving the bid, but Mayor Penny Lyons pointed out municipalities aren’t allowed to do so: the city can either accept or reject the bid.

Alderman Steve Kahrs asked if the city could store the larger amount and Edelman said that would not be a problem.

Alderman Ron Schmitt noted that the price of de-icing salt has risen since last winter.
“There are reports that the salt price has gone from double to five times (what it used to cost),” Schmitt said.

Edelman had informed the board at its Sept. 4 meeting that the city had received no bids for salt and that the Public Works departments only had approximately 450 tons of salt on hand (which is the amount used last winter).

The city using a mixture of three parts salt and one part sand on icy and snow-laden streets, the public works director stated.

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