The Madison Board of Public Works and Safety on Dec. 1 approved the purchase of a combination hydro‑excavation (jet‑vac) truck from Best Equipment for $433,752, drawing on the board’s capital replacement reserve.

Brian Jackson, superintendent of water and sewer, presented four vendor quotes and recommended Best Equipment’s offer after applying a trade‑in credit. Jackson said the vehicle “combines high pressure jetting and vacuum capabilities into one unit,” which lets crews jet lines and vacuum debris in a single pass and makes downstream camera inspections easier. He told the board the existing AquaTech unit, a 2017 truck, has had persistent electronic integration issues and required about $21,000 in repairs this year.

Jackson said the recommended truck’s design separates the pump from the engine with a positive‑displacement hydraulic drive, which avoids the electronic control failures the department has experienced. He also noted the recommended vehicles have telescoping, articulating booms that reach lift stations and other awkward locations that the current boom design does not serve.

The board discussed financing and approved using the capital replacement fund. Jackson said the fund currently holds roughly $859,000 and that paying cash for this truck would leave about $425,000 in the account; he added monthly contributions will continue and projected the account could climb to about $600,000 by the end of next year. Board members said they were comfortable with the transaction given prior planning and the trade‑in allowance.

A board member moved and the motion carried by voice vote. The department said vendor training and on‑site demonstrations are included in the purchase; crews will receive vendor‑provided training during initial deliveries and demos.

The truck will be used for cleaning catch basins, storm drains, culverts, lift stations, manholes and sewer lines, and staff said it will reduce labor and decrease structural wear on pipes compared with current practices. Delivery timing was described as dependent on invoice and vendor scheduling, and staff did not provide a firm delivery date at the meeting.