Finance committee approves revised 2025 capital budget and substitutes equipment purchases; members discuss using savings for road repairs

The Muskego City Finance Committee on March 11 approved a resolution to revise the city's 2025 capital budget to purchase two pieces of equipment rather than the single machine previously requested by staff.

Ryan (city staff member) told the committee he originally requested about $120,000 for one piece of equipment but after demoing alternative machines and consulting with other municipalities staff concluded the originally proposed unit was maintenance-intensive and posed durability concerns. "Originally, I asked for the hundred 20,000 for more that I thought would work... we found it to be not the solution we are looking for. It's very maintenance heavy," Ryan said.

Staff said the revised procurement replaces the single high-cost unit with two smaller units that together cost less than the original $120,000 request. The packet lists trade-in value and supplier quotes; staff said the trade will reduce the net purchase cost and reported a trade-in assumption of $20,000. Committee members calculated that the revised purchase represents roughly a $50,000 savings compared with the original request. A committee member proposed putting the savings into a restricted account or escrow for road repairs rather than reverting it to the general fund; staff said they could report back on the actual trade proceeds when the equipment is surplused.

Committee members also discussed timing: the two machines are available immediately and would allow staff to begin assumed cost savings in the current year, whereas the originally requested unit would have arrived later and deferred savings into 2026. The committee moved to approve the budget revision; the motion passed on a voice vote. The transcript records the motion and that the motion passed but does not provide a roll-call tally.

The committee noted the revised approach is intended to let municipal staff take on more landscaping and boulevard work and reduce contracted landscaping costs in the near term. Staff committed to reporting the actual trade-in proceeds and to providing follow-up information on how any savings are applied.