The Elkhart Common Council on Tuesday approved Ordinance 25-O-16, appropriating $1,400,000 from the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund for a salt facility design–build construction project for the Street Department.

City Public Works officials told council members they considered multiple building types and recommended a nonwood structure they expect to outlast the current 1974 building. "We expect this 1 to last longer than 50 years," Public Works said, adding the new facility will be concrete and steel rather than wood. Officials said the appropriation includes demolition and removal of the existing treated‑lumber facility.

Council members asked for comparisons with hoop‑style or dome facilities used by other agencies. Tory Erwin, Public Works and Utilities, said the department evaluated hoop structures, domes and traditional sheds and selected the most cost‑effective option presented by the vendor. Erwin said the dome/hoop options often use plastic membranes and, in his view, have shorter expected lifespans compared with the proposed concrete‑and‑steel building. Erwin also confirmed the $1.4 million total "will include the demo and removal of the existing facility, which is the old treated lumber that is difficult to dispose of." Council members asked whether the bid included a breakout for demo costs; staff replied the removal cost was not broken out separately in the bid package.

Council members also pressed on schedule. Erwin said the vendor has been told the city needs a new salt facility "by the beginning of this winter," and that, if the contractor cannot deliver in time, they must provide temporary storage solutions for salt and sand. No members of the public spoke on the ordinance during the council’s invitation for public comment.

The council voted unanimously in roll call to adopt the ordinance. The motion for adoption on second reading was made by Councilman Micheler and seconded by Councilwoman Hines; later the motion for third and final reading was made by Councilman Mitchell and seconded by Councilman Crabtree (as recorded). The roll call for final adoption recorded votes of Aye from Councilmen Holt, Curry, Mishler, Crabtree, Henke; Councilwomen King and Hines; and President Dawson. The ordinance passed 8–0.

The approved appropriation covers design, construction and demolition; staff said the contractor selection emphasized the most cost‑effective option among multiple proposals. The council did not require a separate cost breakout for demolition before voting, and staff did not provide a detailed life‑cycle cost per year calculation at the meeting. Future contract documents and the procurement file will contain the selected vendor and final line‑item costs.