Mill Creek, Wash. — The City Council on Nov. 11 approved a resolution reallocating revitalization, preservation and beautification (RPB) funds to buy a full-size tandem-axle dump truck configured for winter operations, authorizing up to $407,000 in spending.

Public Works staff told council that existing light- and medium-duty trucks fitted with metal blades have damaged raised pavement markers (RPMs) on state highways and that WSDOT has signaled the city to correct equipment or face potential charges for pavement damage. "We need a full size tandem axle dump truck to put a full size plow on it [with] a rubber edged blade so we don't damage the road surface and the RPMs," Public Works Director said during the presentation.

Funding for the purchase will come from unallocated RPB funds, $50,000 in savings from conducting a citywide study in-house, and $175,796 reallocated from the street tree policy project (originally budgeted at $250,000), leaving about $75,000 for the tree effort. Staff emphasized that the truck is intended for use year-round and could reduce contracted hauling and rental costs for jobs such as sidewalk replacements and demolition.

Council discussion focused on frequency and cost of prior rentals, the practical limits of contracting winter highway plowing (many rental providers do not operate highway-grade plow equipment), and whether state or regional partners could help with funding. Several council members requested a clearer savings estimate comparing past rental costs to ownership costs; staff said actual savings depend on utilization but pointed to repeated rentals and contract costs in recent years as evidence of recurring operational expense.

The motion to reallocate RPB funds and authorize the city manager to execute purchase and contracts not to exceed $407,000 passed 5–2.

What’s next: Staff will finalize procurement under the Sourcewell purchasing contract and return with contract execution details and estimates of recurring operating savings.