Road & Bridge gets approval to send five trucks to Moab for winter salt; board okays $1,000 budget overrun

Grand County commissioners approved out-of-state travel for five Road & Bridge truck drivers to pick up winter salt in Moab, Utah, and agreed to cover a $1,000 overrun to the department’s salt budget.

Road and Bridge director David Buckley told the board the department will send five trucks to Moab to load salt and return via overnight in Grand Junction. He said the department added a fifth truck this year because vendors had notified counties of a planned rate increase next winter; by adding an extra truck now, the department expects to secure current pricing for a larger total tonnage. Buckley said the salt from Moab typically is a byproduct of a potash mine and has been more cost-effective than other sources.

Buckley asked the board to authorize the out-of-state travel (departure August 27) and to approve the $1,000 additional expenditure because the extra truck puts the program over this year’s budget by that amount. Commissioners approved both requests in the same motion and agreed on logistical support: two county officials said they would accompany the convoy as chase vehicles.

Commissioners discussed whether the department should run five trucks in future years; Buckley said that decision would depend on winter conditions and tonnage needs. He also noted the department has used an escort/chase vehicle on previous salt runs for safety and equipment support.

The board’s votes record authorization for the travel on Aug. 27 and a simple budget approval to cover the $1,000 overrun. Buckley said the department expects no supplemental budget request will be necessary at year-end, but the board directed staff to incorporate the overrun in financial reporting.