cover
TO: Mayor John Laesch and City Council
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: September 24, 2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a contract with Salt Xchange Inc. in the amount of $693,750.00 and the appropriation and expenditure of MFT funds for an amount up to $1,399,600.00 for 2027 salt purchases.
PURPOSE:
To execute a contract with Salt Xchange Inc. and execute the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) resolution necessary to appropriate Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for the purchase of sodium chloride (rock salt) for 2027 (MFT Section No. 27-00000-00-GM).
BACKGROUND:
The bulk road salt to be used for snow removal is typically purchased through the State's Central Management Services Office and the DuPage County Procurement Services Division; both entities secured multiple bids through a publicly advertised sealed process, establishing competitive unit prices. The City has also gone out to bid on its own at certain times, including in 2024 and earlier this year to fill the salt dome at the new Public Works facility.
For the 2026-2027 winter season, the City intended to purchase salt through the State and DuPage County as usual. While the City will still purchase salt through the DuPage County bid, the State bid received no bids for the City of Aurora's portion. Aurora was one of about 250 agencies that did not receive a bid. The City's only remaining options were to bid a separate contract on its own or try to procure salt through the State's emergency bid process.
Salt prices have drastically increased for this winter season due to ongoing economic conditions and supply constraints. It is anticipated that bidding separately and awarding as a City will be more cost effective than being at the mercy of the State's emergency bid.
DISCUSSION:
The invitation to bid for this project was posted on August 25, 2026. A copy of the posted bid documents is attached as Exhibit 'A'.
Bids were opened and publicly read...
Click here for full text