Cookeville Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said she’s concerned about the city’s salt supply.
Elrod said the city has one salt bin that holds 1,000 tons, and last week’s winter weather used up about half of that supply. Elrod said the city cannot purchase additional salt through the state contract, and other purchasing options are not ideal.
“In the event that we have to reach out to other contractors, then we would have to advertise for bids, which takes two weeks, and then you have to get it run through council to get it approved, which takes some time, and it’s really to much of a slow process for emergency situations like this,” Elrod said.
Elrod said the low salt supply is concerning, especially with winter storms still possible in February and March. She added that the city will need to carefully conserve its remaining salt for the rest of the winter.
“If we have to, we will just go down to priority roads, and we will just have to bear down and work with it, and we know we will get through it,” Elrod said. “The sun will shine again, it will melt, and we will make it.”
Elrod said the city would primarily salt roads inside the city proper if another winter storm comes.
“Maintain emergency services routes to nursing homes, fire stations, police stations, and the hospital,” Elrod said. “And so that’s what we usually prioritize first.”
Elrod said the city would also consider partnering with T-DOT or nearby counties should another major winter weather event take place this year.