Finance committee amends 2026 borrowing to add a motor grader and sanctuary transport vehicle

The Green Bay Finance Committee considered the 2026 borrowing request and amended it to add two department-prioritized items before approving the package. Staff presented a departmental priority list and public works directors argued that a used motor grader would improve snow-plowing efficiency and reduce repetitive passes.

Ald. Johnson moved to amend the borrowing list to add a used motor grader for $370,000; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Committee members discussed that the grader had been requested previously (replacement year originally listed as 2018) and that many frontline plow trucks are past their replacement dates. Supporters framed the purchase as increasing operational efficiency and improving public safety on heavily traveled streets.

Committee also approved adding a replacement vehicle for wildlife sanctuary animal transport (approx. $55,000). The sanctuary vehicle had been identified as aged and rusting; staff said it runs but has visible condition issues and had been slated for replacement in 2027. The committee debated whether a small vehicle should be bonded or purchased from operating funds; practice in recent years is to include fleet in the bond package, and the committee kept that approach for the vehicle.

Following amendments, the committee approved the amended borrowing request by voice vote. Directors and council members discussed amortization practices and confirmed the city typically treats fleet as part of the bond program with amortizations scheduled to align with useful lives.