Madison board approves $433,752 combination jet‑vac truck, several contracts and appoints Rick Munt as police chief

The Madison Board of Public Works and Safety on Dec. 1 approved a series of capital purchases and contracts, including the purchase of a combination jet‑vac hydro‑excavation truck, several payments tied to the mass and transfer station project and street and stormwater work on Vine Street. The board also voted to formally appoint Rick Munt as chief of the Madison Police Department.

Brian Jackson, the city’s superintendent of water and sewer operations, and Rebecca (city staff) reviewed four vendor quotes for a single unit that combines high‑pressure jetting and vacuum capabilities. Staff recommended the VEST Equipment bid, which after trade‑in and credits was priced at $433,752 with freight. Jackson described operational advantages — faster debris removal, easier camera inspections of cleaned lines and a positive‑displacement drive that separates hydraulic power from the truck engine — and said the unit is in stock and training is included with delivery. “That’s the biggest — without the trade‑in, it’s not a good deal,” Jackson said, noting the trade‑in value materially improved the purchase price.

The board discussed equipment lifespan and financing. Staff said the typical useful life for this class of vehicle is about 10 years and that the city has spent roughly $21,000 this year repairing the current 2017 AquaTech unit, which has suffered electronic control failures. Jackson said the purchase will be paid from the city’s capital replacement reserve; the department reported roughly $859,000 in the fund before the purchase and estimated about $425,000 would remain after the transaction. Jackson told the board he expects monthly additions to the reserve and does not anticipate other major capital expenditures in the next 24 months that would be blocked by the purchase.

Votes at a glance - Combination jet‑vac truck (VEST Equipment): $433,752 (with trade‑in). Motion approved by voice vote. - TSO pay application #4 (Sudam Contracting): $80,001.99. Motion approved by voice vote. - Additional engineering services for TSO (Prime AE): $1,442.50. Motion approved by voice vote. - Vine Street curb and storm improvements (All Star): $60,412.98. Motion approved by voice vote. - Backflow preventer installation at Crystal Beach storm drain (contractor listed in minutes as Sedan/Sudam Contracting): $8,900. Motion approved by voice vote. - Appointment of Rick Munt as Madison Police Department chief: nomination approved by voice vote; swearing‑in scheduled at city council the next day.

Board members asked about delivery timing and training; staff said the truck is in stock and that vendors provide on‑site training during demos and at delivery. The city will coordinate signage and street department decal work after delivery. On the Vine Street project, staff said final paving probably will not occur until spring and that curb aprons and storm sewer work will proceed now, weather permitting.

Chief Munt, the board’s new police chief, outlined recent equipment upgrades — ruggedized laptops for patrol, new body cameras and tasers — and a hiring plan to fill five vacancies with recruits entering the academy in January. He introduced Ricky Harris and Kyle Cutshall as assistant chiefs who will share administrative duties.

The board’s next meeting is Dec. 15. Several approvals pass to contracting and invoicing steps; staff said they will follow up on delivery dates and any remaining procurement paperwork.