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DPW says vendor switch stabilized trash service and budget will buy additional trucks and carts
Summary
Commissioner Andrew Hall told the City Council budget committee that the DPW’s FY26 budget will fund two heavy and four light plow trucks, boost maintenance for vehicle fleets and support a capital effort to replace worn curbside carts.
Public Works Commissioner Andrew Hall told the budget committee the City’s level-funded FY26 request includes purchases intended to address aging equipment and to expand maintenance funding for parks.
“The budget before you, while mostly level funded, will allow for the purchase of 2 heavy and 4 light plow trucks,” Hall said, and he added the request includes increases in maintenance funds for fire‑department vehicles and contract mowing and fence repairs in parks.
Hall said the city completed a vendor change for curbside trash and recycling collection that provides budget certainty and in-house capacity for cart repairs. He described a planned capital purchase of new refuse carts — a wholesale replacement project the department estimates at roughly $700,000 — because many existing totes are worn. He said the collection contract and a new spare-cart program should improve response times for damaged carts.
On vehicle delivery timing, Hall and councilors noted national supply‑chain delays: some heavy vehicles ordered years ago still have not arrived, and new orders may not arrive in time for the next snow season. Hall said the department has been buying good used vehicles where possible to get units into service more quickly.
Discussion: councilors acknowledged frequent constituent calls about street repairs and vehicle availability and asked Hall to continue advocating for additional equipment. No formal vote occurred at the hearing.
