Salt Tablets Now, Most Expensive Rock Salt Later

COURT HOUSE – If someone says “Pass the salt, please,” it’s usually at the kitchen table. County and local governments think on larger scales, but the message is similar. When it’s cold and roads are icy, it becomes time to “pass the salt.”
“When we get hit with a major storm then rock salt is renamed gold dust, similar to buying an air conditioner in August,” County Purchasing Agent Kim Allen told the Herald. Since last year, when northern counties could hardly get needed salt for their frozen roads, suppliers have increased the price, per ton, of the humble substance. The cost increased $7.51 per ton over last year’s $66.01.
“Holy mackerel,” exclaimed Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton at the July 8 freeholder caucus when he heard the price increase.
“We have filled up our bins at the current (lower) price,” Allen told the board. “We also notified our co-op members to fill their bins.” She estimated the new price would add $29,000 to winter’s costs for the county.
Thus, while the temperature outside neared 90 degrees; freeholders took action July 8 that may not come to fruition until next January of later. They approved a resolution to supply rock salt to two suppliers, just in case one cannot deliver in time.
County Engineer Dale Foster, said the county used about 3,500 tons of salt last season, compared to the normal 2,000 tons.
Oceanport LLC won one contract at $73.52 per ton; the second contract was to Morton Salt Inc. for $74.93 a ton.
How would that translate into dollars?
Based on the amount used by the county for its price bid of 3,000 tons, and another 2,812 tons for cooperative agencies, such as municipalities, that would equate to $427,298 from Oceanport.
Allen noted the award to the second vendor was a backup.
Cape May County has three locations where rock salt is stored since cooperative agencies go to the closest location to load rock salt onto their trucks.