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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Adrian Perez, Superintendent of Street Maintenance
DATE: June 15, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Authorization for the purchase of Bulk Rock Salt from Compass Minerals American Inc., Overland Park, KS, in the amount of $74.33 per ton for the 2026-2027 winter season.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval for the purchase of bulk rock salt in the amount of $74.33 per ton from Compass Minerals America Inc., under the DuPage County Department of Transportation of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement Bid for the 2026-2027 winter season.
BACKGROUND:
The bulk rock salt is used during snow operations to melt snow and ice from the City streets. The Street Maintenance Department in collaboration with the Purchasing Department will divide salt purchases between the DuPage County Department of Transportation and the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreements. By dividing salt orders between the two agencies, it presents multiple suppliers and competitive pricing for the winter season.
DISCUSSION:
The 2025 DuPage County Joint bid had an option to extend the contract for one year upon mutual consent. Updated quantities for the 2026-2027 winter season were requested by DuPage County upon notification they intended to extend the 2025 contract. Street Maintenance anticipates purchasing 6,250 tons from Compass Minerals America Inc. of bulk rock salt for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Local preference does not apply since the City is participating in a joint bid through the DuPage County Department of Transportation of Illinois.
Funding for this annual expense is budgeted in account 203-4060-431.65-32.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Failure to approve the purchase of bulk rock salt for the upcoming winter season will have significant operational, financial, and public safety consequences. Rock salt is a critical resource used to prevent and mitigate hazardous roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and public facility conditions caused by snow and ice accumulation. Without an adequate supply of deicing materials, Street Maintenance will be unable to effectively treat roadways during winter weather events. This increases the likelihood of vehicle accidents, pedestrian slips and falls, delayed emergency response times, and restricted access to public facilities. Untreated icy surfaces create dangerous travel conditions that place residents, visitors, employees, and first responders at greater risk of injury. The absence of sufficient rock salt inventory and resupply measures may also expose the organization to increased liability claims resulting from accidents and injuries occurring on public property. Additionally, emergency purchases made during peak winter demand are often substantially more expensive, subject to limited availability, and may not arrive in time to meet operational needs. This can lead to service disruptions and higher overall costs than securing materials through planned seasonal procurement.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Street Maintenance Department requests approval by City Council for the purchase of bulk rock salt through the DuPage County Department of Transportation Joint Purchase Agreement Bid in the amount of $74.33 per ton from Compass Minerals America Inc., Overland Park, KS.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution approving the purchase of bulk rock salt in the amount of $74.33 per ton from Compass Minerals America Inc., Overland Park, KS, for the Division of Street Maintenance under the DuPage County Department of Transportation of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement Bid for the 2026-2027 season.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has an established winter roadway maintenance program; and
WHEREAS, the DuPage County Department of Transportation of Illinois provides service for local government units to participate in a joint purchase of bulk rock salt which provides great efficiencies of scale resulting in lower cost per unit; and
WHEREAS, Compass Minerals America Inc., Overland, KS has agreed to furnish 6,250 tons of bulk rock salt at the price of $74.33 per ton; and
WHEREAS, Funding has been appropriated for this expenditure in account 203-4060-431.65-32.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: approving the purchase of bulk rock salt in the amount of $74.33 per ton from Compass Minerals America Inc., Overland Park, KS, for the Division of Street Maintenance under the DuPage County Department of Transportation of Illinois Joint Purchasing Agreement Bid for the 2026-2027 winter season.