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DPW asks ESU committee to consider reallocating vehicle funds to buy used excavator and newer street sweeper
Summary
Kankakee DPW staff asked Sept. 15 that previously budgeted funds for a new dump truck be reallocated to purchase a used excavator, a better street sweeper and to cover repairs for aging equipment, citing stalled operations for brush and demolition work.
Kankakee City public works officials told the Environmental Services Utility Board on Sept. 15 they want to reallocate funds planned for a new dump truck to address more urgent equipment failures, including two aging excavators that have left brush removal and small demolitions at a standstill.
The change would keep the previously budgeted four used dump trucks but push off buying a new fifth truck in order to buy a used excavator (estimated around $95,000 delivered), pursue a newer street sweeper through trade‑in and possibly acquire an additional used truck.
DPW supervisor James Lopez said the city already received one replacement truck and is awaiting another; however several older excavators are failing. “We actually got to save, a thousand dollars per truck… So we're gonna drive down there Wednesday to look at those,” Lopez said of used truck buys. He added that one excavator is out of service and the other needs roughly $7,000 in repairs to be a usable spare.
Lopez said a used excavator with about 2,500 hours would meet needs: “A brand new one's like 250,000. But you know, if we can get a used 1 with about 2500 hours and we only put about 5, 600 hours on them a year, you know, we could that would work out great.” He also proposed trading in an older 2003 vacuum and a recently purchased $36,000 unit to help fund a newer sweeper.
Alderman Swanson asked whether reducing the number of vacuums would affect leaf collection; Lopez said the DPW has other loaders and equipment and expects to continue timely leaf service. “So we would we would not stop, servicing the residents in a timely manner with leaves,” he said.
Board members asked about trade‑in values. Lopez said mechanics estimated a combined $15,000 trade‑in value for two excavators but that one might require a $7,000 repair to be useful as a spare. He said staff are still negotiating with vendors and the committee should expect a follow‑up resolution or purchase authorization at the October meeting if staff proceed.
This was an informational discussion; no motion or formal vote took place. Staff asked the committee for general concurrence to pursue reallocation and return with specific purchase resolutions and price quotes.
