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Monona council approves plow/leaf truck, defers some vehicle buys to later years
Summary
Council approved replacement of a combined plow/leaf vacuum vehicle and approved adjustments to fleet purchases in the adopted CIP, while deferring a Chevy Colorado purchase to 2028 and moving a front‑loader to 2027. The council discussed reliability, maintenance, potential resale value and the operational need to retain a backup leaf vac until a
The Monona City Council approved the replacement of a plow truck and leaf vacuum as part of the amended 2026 capital improvement plan and adjusted timing for other vehicle purchases.
Public Works staff described the proposal for a multipurpose hook‑truck chassis that can accept attachments for plowing, salting, and a leaf‑vacuum upfit. That equipment package was budgeted at roughly $530,000 in an amendment the council approved. Staff said the new chassis will include a v‑box spreader for salt so crews can both plow and salt, and that municipal use of hook trucks is increasing locally. Council members asked about maintenance history and whether the municipal mechanic could support the new chassis; staff said warranty and routine maintenance should be manageable in‑house and that other nearby municipalities use similar equipment.
Council also discussed operational resilience: until a second hook chassis is acquired, staff recommended keeping one of the older leaf vac trucks as a backup. Members asked about the resale value of replaced vehicles; staff estimated a retired plow truck could fetch approximately $25,000–$45,000 depending on condition. The council approved the plow/leaf vac replacement amendment.
Timing changes: Council moved the planned replacement of a Chevy Colorado to 2028 and approved moving a front‑loader purchase to 2027 to balance borrowing needs and fleet replacement scheduling.
What’s next: Public Works will place orders per the approved CIP amendment and coordinate trades/retention of older equipment to preserve service continuity during the transition.
