Late August and early September have finally brought a real feeling of summer to central Illinois, however, local authorities are already thinking about old man winter.

Last winter was one of the more harsh winter's in recent memory, and sent local road authorities across the state and midwest scrambling for road salt as snow storm after snow storm pounded Illinois. According Clinton's Public Works Director, Steve Lobb, salt shortages continue to plague communities as they prepare their supplies for this coming winter.

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Because of the devastating winter across the country, Lobb says every vendor is reporting they have no salt to sell. According to Lobb, there is a vendor who can provide the city with a limited salt supply, but he notes, if the winter is anything like this past year's, there will be real cause for concern because the amount purchased plus what is on hand won't be enough.

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Because of the rare circumstances the Public Works department faces, the payment to this vendor will be paid up front, before the product is ordered. Lobb says it's not an ideal situation, especially because payments are normally made once the product is delivered.

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Lobb indicates the city is still on waiting lists through their local vendors but those vendors are saying seek options elsewhere. The Illinois Department of Transportation along with DeWitt County are a part of what Lobb calls the "renewal pool" and they are expecting to get salt, but Lobb advises them to be cautious. He believes just because the state and county are part of this renewal program, does not mean they will get the salt they need. He says he would not be comfortable until he sees the salt on their ground.

The City Council approved the purchase of the 300-tons of salt, to be delivered by the end of October, at a cost of $37,500.

>>The Council also approved the purchase of a 2015 truck for the Clinton Fire Department through Anderson Ford at a cost of $29, 340. The truck will replace the department's Chevy Suburban.

>>Laptop computer purchases were approved for the Clinton Street Department and Water Department at a cost of $15-hundred and $1000 respectively.