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Board reviews 2026 capital roads and equipment proposal; staff outlines vehicle and equipment replacements and funding considerations
Summary
The Board of Public Works reviewed proposed 2026 capital projects for roads and equipment, including replacement of an engineer-tech vehicle, a chipper, and multiple mowers, and discussed funding approaches and a potential $3 million Hasmer Lake project to be delayed pending grant opportunities.
The Village of Jackson Board of Public Works spent the May 27 meeting reviewing the draft 2026 capital projects list for roads and equipment and discussing priorities, replacement timing, and funding sources.
Jack, the public works director, outlined vehicle and equipment requests: replace a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 engineer-tech vehicle (estimated current mileage ~95,000) and sell an unused Buick to offset cost; add a compact commuter vehicle for wastewater seasonal staff; reinstall a planned replacement chipper (the unit has about 2,000–2,100 hours); and replace three mowers — two dedicated parks mowers (approximately 1,200–1,370 hours) and one wastewater mower (about 1,800 hours). Jack estimated approximately $30,000 for a replacement truck and provided mower cost estimates ranging from about $13,050 to $17,050 depending on model and features; a larger double-wing commercial mower was cited at about $30,000.
Jack recommended keeping the better of two replaced mowers as a spare to avoid service gaps when one machine is in repair. He said manufacturers now offer “stand-up” models that cost less and that staff would arrange demos and quotes to determine equipment fit and operator preference.
Board members discussed procurement and funding. Staff will ask Ehlers (a financial advisor) to reevaluate funding tools. Jack said enterprise-funded utilities (water and sewer) are more likely to fund equipment from cash, while general-fund items (parks and streets) are more vulnerable to cuts if cash is constrained. For one large item, Hasmer Lake, staff said delaying the project a year could allow pursuit of stewardship grants and potential DNR matching funds; staff estimated the Hasmer Lake commitment could have been about $3,000,000 if pursued now.
Board members asked about leasing versus purchasing for some vehicles; Jack said leasing merits comparison and that staff would return with numbers.
The item was discussion-only; no capital appropriations or formal approvals were made at the meeting. Staff said the proposals will be incorporated into the comprehensive budget package to the Village Board in June.
