Council introduces ordinance to buy additional vac truck for drainage; mayor says drainage fund can cover cost

The council introduced Special Ordinance No. 2024‑2025‑16 to amend the budget to finance the purchase of an additional vacuum (vac) truck dedicated to drainage cleanouts.

Mayor Freddie Decor described the equipment as specialized and expensive, saying the trucks "are well over half a million dollars," and noted the city already operates vac trucks in sewer and public works but has faced repeated breakdowns. He said an additional truck would allow the city to dedicate one unit to drainage and have crews working in different halves of the city.

The mayor said the city will use money in the drainage fund to purchase the truck, that delivery would likely take about "8 to 10 months," and that the truck would be specified to match the city's existing models so it is reliable. He also discussed procurement options, including piggybacking off state contracts or cooperative purchases to ensure quality equipment rather than simply the cheapest available unit.

Council members said the drainage fund is healthy and that having a second dedicated drainage truck would reduce downtime when other specialized units break. The mayor mentioned a committed $1 million to address localized flooding and a planned $3 million detention/retention pond project whose freed funds could further support drainage work once progressed.

The item was introduced and set for public hearing on June 17, 2025. The transcript records the introduction motion and discussion but does not contain a final adoption vote for the ordinance.