Lanark County council has awarded a five-year contract for highway salt to Compass Minerals after receiving one bid through a joint tendering process.
The tender, which closed Aug. 5, covers the supply and delivery of bulk coarse highway salt to the county and all its lower-tier municipalities except Perth. Perth already has a contract with Compass Minerals.
The county’s previous contract with Cargill Salt has ended. Public Works director Sean Derouin said the tender was also circulated to Cargill Salt and Windsor Salt, the other two major suppliers in Ontario.
“A five-year contract will secure long-term supply and pricing certainty,” Derouin said. “This option protects the county and participating municipalities from future market volatility and reduces the risk of price escalation resulting from future supply shortages.”
Participating municipalities have agreed to purchase at least 80 per cent of their estimated annual quantities. They can increase the amount purchased during the contract if necessary.
The county plans to offset higher salt prices by using more “winter mix,” a blend of sand, salt and stone dust, on lower-volume roads. Salt will continue to be prioritized for higher-volume roads and freezing rain events while the county meets provincial maintenance standards.
Similar measures were used during last winter’s salt shortage.
County approves youth recreation assistance program
Lanark County has approved a policy governing Active Kids, Bright Futures, a new program intended to help children and youth from low-income households participate in recreational activities.
Eligible families can receive up to $500 per child for approved activities offered by recognized organizations or service providers. The assistance can cover registration, participation or membership fees, transportation and up to $75 for required basic equipment.
Eligible activities include sports, arts, clubs, educational programs and camps. Payments will be made directly to service providers.
The program is supported by revenue from the Warden’s Golf Tournament and a $50,000 county allocation in 2026. This year’s golf tournament raised nearly $11,350 for the program, according to information published by the county.
Social Services director Emily Hollington said existing county staff will administer the program under standardized eligibility and administrative requirements to ensure families are treated fairly and consistently.
County staff had planned to launch the program Sept. 1. Those interested in applying can contact their caseworker or call the county at 1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 2140.
County receives community safety plan update
County council has received an update on work completed in 2025 under the Community Plan for Safety and Well-being for Lanark County and Smiths Falls.
The 2025-2029 plan, adopted by local municipalities last year, focuses on affordability and quality of life, health, violence against people, and priority populations and diversity.
“Affordability and quality of life is the biggest theme area in the plan,” said Stephanie Gray, support co-ordinator for the Lanark County OPP Detachment Board.
Work in that area included expanding child-care spaces, supporting housing stability, completing a transit feasibility study and advancing local climate action plans. The county also launched its Natural Heritage System work plan and supported municipal diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Health-related initiatives included efforts to divert calls from hospitals, the creation of the Lanark Integrated Frontline Team mobile initiative and the expansion of the HART Hub in Smiths Falls.
Work addressing violence included the Coaching Boys Into Men prevention program, support for a victim advocate program and training related to intimate partner violence, healthy relationships and hate crimes.
Initiatives for priority populations included youth conferences, efforts supporting Indigenous people and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, training for hospice volunteers on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and settlement services for newcomers.
September Lanark County council meeting moved
Lanark County has moved its Sept. 9 council and committee meetings to Sept. 16 because the original date conflicts with the Ontario East Municipal Conference.
County council will meet at 5 p.m. on Sept. 16. The Community Services and Corporate Services committee meetings will follow.
Council will meet again at 5 p.m. on Sept. 23, followed by the Public Works and Economic Development committee meetings.
Meeting agendas and public-access information will be posted through the county’s website.
SOURCE: Lanark County council highlights, Aug. 26, 2026
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