The Macon County Highway Department has requested help from county residents in planning repairs.

Extremely wet and freezing weather has been harsh on the county’s road system.

“We need to plan these repairs carefully as we are working on a limited budget,” County Road Supervisor Audie Cook said in a release. “The department did not receive any stimulus money and our State Gasoline Tax Rate which is where we get the majority of our revenue has not increased since 1989.

“Due to cut backs we are also working with fewer employees than the Highway Department has ever had. So we are asking for your patience and assistance while we plan our repairs and improvements.”

The highway department can be reached at 615-666-3910 or by e-mail at countyroad@nctc.com.

“All concerns will be addressed and prioritized,” Cook said in the release.

Cook’s department spent several days last week spreading salt on county roads.

The county used an estimated 50 tons of salt battling the latest round of snow, which began last Friday, Jan. 29.

“We may have two loads of salt left,” Cook told County Commissioners on Monday during the Committee of the Whole meeting at the courthouse. “That’s about all I’ve got left. I’ve already bought everything that is in my budget. If it comes another snow people are going to have to bear with us. We’re about out.”

Salt costs $60 a ton, Cook said. The county purchases it out of Nashville.

Cook was asked by a commissioner if the price of salt had risen since last year.

“Last year and this year is about the same,” Cook responded. “It really jumped last year.”

The building in which the county stores its salt can hold between 50 and 60 tons, Cook said.

“That’s about all you can get in it without the rain getting to it, without having to put plastic up over the doors,” Cook said.

Provided rain isn’t a factor, Cook said the county can get the salt from Nashville with a couple days notice.