SLC road salt bid includes slight increase in price for 2025-26 despite tariffs - North Country Now

CANTON -- Rock salt ran low during a harsh winter, forcing county officials to cut off contractors from the waning supply when stocks ran dangerously low.

Though tariffs were expected to greatly impact future bids, Highway Superintendent Don Chambers said the low bid came in at a far better rate than expected.

Compass Materials, based in Canada, was the low bidder at $73.73 per ton. Chambers said the shipments will come through the Port of Ogdensburg and be trucked to county facilities as well as municipalities.

"This will make it much easier to utilize the commodity to ensure roadways are safe this winter," he said.

Compared to the low bid last year, entered by American Rock Salt, Chambers said the rate increased slightly from $67.56 per ton.

"It ebbs and flows from year to year," he said.

In 2023-24, the low bid was $74.66 per ton, while 2022-23 came in at $70.27 per ton and 2021-22 came in at $65.61 per ton.

Chambers said one benefit of working with Compass Materials is the steady supply chain, commenting that on at least eight occasions the county has worked with the firm "with no issues."

When asked by Legislator Glenn Webster if domestic companies had bid, Chambers confirmed a number had but in many cases the bids came in significantly higher.

American Rock Salt bid $89.91 per ton, while Cargill bid $76.59 per ton, Morton Salt bid $88.55 per ton and Appalachia Salt bid $105 per ton, Chambers said.

The price received from Compass was also confirmed to be the final price, including tariff costs.

"At this point the bid is the price they're supplying it at," Chambers confirmed.

He commented on legislation, passed last year at the state level, that largely limited the suppliers counties could purchase from, forcing the government entities to purchase New York or domestic salt.

Chambers said that had a negative impact on the county as rates were higher and municipalities were forced to truck the salt from the Buffalo region in some cases.

He previously said that greatly increased costs for the salt as stores ran low locally.

"American Rock Salt had a contract that complied with state bid requirements at the time, which favored New York or domestic salt producers," Chambers said.

Chambers also said he would likely bring forth a resolution in the near future to modify the Highway Department budget for $30,000 related to salt supplies that were transferred from the Highway Department to municipalities throughout the state.

"We're very fortunate to have great inter municipal cooperation," Chambers said.