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Area 2008 cost

Butler County $51.42

Dayton $144

Hamilton $52*

Miamisburg $67

Monroe $98.37

Sidney $150

Sources: Cox Ohio Publishing

*Estimated by city of Hamilton

Prices are based on cost per ton of salt.

Area drivers should expect a greater prevalence of snowy Butler County roadways this winter as expected salt shortages and higher prices are forcing maintenance departments to approach their work more conservatively.

The problem has prompted Gov. Ted Strickland's office to look into possible price gouging. Salt companies have denied arbitrary price increases.

At this point, most communities in Butler County said they are well prepared. But that may change depending on winter weather.

"We got a good bid, but because the supply is short, I am concerned about our ability of getting salt when it comes to needing more," said Scott Bressler, operations deputy with the Butler County Engineer's Office. "I'm concerned about how long it's going to take the refill the barn again. I'm really concerned this year."

Bressler said the county always fills its salt barns every April, which gives it an advantage on future supplies.

And because officials placed their order in May, they experienced only a slight increase in cost: $51.42 per ton this year compared to $46.25 last year.

However, Bressler said the county will be forced to dilute pretreatment solutions and he said they will not send crews out to lay salt until after snow ceases. Add a potentially short supply to an increase in lane miles across the county and the concern is growing, Bressler said.

"People will just have to learn how to drive on snow," Bressler said. "They'll just have to wait until the snow tapers off, and we plow it off. Then we'll use the salt.

Cindy Strayer, who handles the salt contract for a conglomerate of communities in southwest Ohio, said last year's heavy salt usage in the eastern U.S. exhausted many stockpiles and reserves.

The city of Hamilton has stored about a third of the total salt needed for the season, said Deputy City Manager Charles Young. Hamilton is part of a consortium that negotiates for the best price of salt.

The city has about 1,400 tons now and has ordered 3,000 more, officials said.

Meanwhile, West Chester and Liberty township officials said it will be mostly business as usual this winter. They've ordered the same amount of salt as in year's past.

Staff Writers

Jeremy Kelley, Richard Wilson and Valryn Warren contributed to this

report

.