The Grosse Pointe Woods City Council approved the Detroit Salt Company as the city's wintertime salt provider and allocated $50,000 in total toward the purchase—as needed—of salt for this year's winter season at Monday's city council meeting.
Detroit Salt Company was the cheapest of four companies bidding for the contract, selling its salt at $46.09 per ton, while the nearest competitor was more than $5.00 more.
During the meeting, City Administrator Al Fincham explained that last year's mild winter resulted in 400 tons of salt being unused. He added that the city typically purchases about 1,000 tons of salt for winter.
To buy the 600 tons of salt to reach the expected 1,000 tons needed will cost approximately $27,650 — which is well below the $50,000 that was allocated.
In an interview after the meeting, Fincham said the city plans to spend about 70 percent of the allocated funds—or $35,000—initially, which would account for about 760 tons.
"At this point, because we do have a reserve, we will not have to order the full amount that we've allocated for," he said.
But more salt could be purchased if this winter is especially harsh.
"If we're fortunate enough to have another mild winter, then (the city will) certainly not (use the full amount)," Fincham said. "But as you can see, we've been hit hard many times and we've had to order more salt."
