Public works officials told council on Aug. 7 they are prioritizing new hires and equipment purchases to reduce contractor costs and improve the city's ability to repair roads, clear ditches and maintain parks.

Why it matters: staff said recent investments and small equipment purchases helped operations, but that the city still lacks the crews and heavy equipment to repair busy roads, execute systematic paving and keep ditches clear after storms without costly outside contractors.

Public works director Bro Hottley asked council to approve three additional street crew positions (entry‑level) to help run pothole and repaving programs. He said three hires at an estimated combined salary of $106,080 would allow the department to run a pothole patcher and the other street maintenance equipment more efficiently instead of contracting small repairs.

Hottley also identified several equipment purchases he said the city will need to do more work in‑house: a "zipper" (milling) attachment and milling unit (rough estimate $160,000), a hot‑mix asphalt truck (about $200,000), a regenerative‑air street sweeper ($250,000–$300,000), a compact hydro‑vac/combo‑vac for stormwater work ($70,000–$100,000) and additional dump trailers to move material ($10,000–$15,000 each). He said the city already budgeted for a compact asphalt roller and some trailers via ARPA but said the larger milling and hot‑mix purchases are needed if the city expects to reduce outside contractor reliance.

On parks, Hottley requested retaining one previously vacant maintenance position so parks would have three full‑time workers; he said the department is juggling mowing, park repairs and small construction tasks.

Shop and storage: staff told council the city's shop yard includes a deteriorated pole‑barn structure that needs demolition and replacement; equipment stored outdoors faces accelerated wear and increases maintenance costs, staff said.

How decisions will proceed: Hottley said most of the large purchases are multi‑year planning items; staff will provide detailed vendor quotes and funding options (purchase, lease or grant) and recommend priorities during final budget sessions. He emphasized that equipment replacement planning and an asset tracking program would help the city protect investments and reduce outlays for rentals and emergency repairs.

Ending: Council members asked staff for cost comparisons (rent vs. buy), a timetable for each recommended purchase and an equipment replacement schedule that shows how long each item will be expected to serve the city.