Council authorizes $106,060 purchase of salt and calcium for highway department; superintendent to study co‑op purchasing

The Steuben County Council authorized an additional appropriation of $106,060 from the Highway MVH Fund for purchase of salt and calcium on Feb. 12 following a request from Highway Superintendent Emmett Heller.

Heller told council that while buying through the State can result in lower unit costs, counties are subordinate to state priority when supply is constrained and the county may not receive needed quantities when demand is high. He said he is also investigating whether counties or county departments could form a cooperative purchasing arrangement for vehicle fuel and other materials; Heller expected to report back to council in the coming months.

Ken Shelton moved to approve the appropriation and Jim Getz seconded; the motion carried with five ayes. Council members discussed administrative costs and bookkeeping requirements that would come with any cooperative purchasing program and asked Heller to include those considerations in his review.

The minutes record the approved line item as Highway MVH Fund 1176‑531‑2000.24, Salt & Calcium, $106,060.