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Public works seeks pavement‑management software, new equipment and one inspector to sustain street preservation
Summary
Streets leadership told the Budget & Finance Committee the city’s pavement preservation program and in‑house rejuvenation have extended road life and asked for a pavement‑management system (about $80,000 upfront, $15,000/yr) plus targeted vehicle and equipment replacements and a third road inspector to keep up with development inspections.
Jerry Hatcher, director of streets for the City of Franklin, told the Budget and Finance Committee that the department has 77 employees across four divisions and highlighted paving and pavement‑preservation work completed in 2025. He said the city has continued an in‑house “rejuvenate” program begun in 2020 and that targeted crack sealing and preservation deliver the best return on investment for neighborhood streets.
Hatcher identified a top capital priority: a pavement‑management software system to consolidate pavement network inventory, condition history and treatment records. He said the initial cost is projected at about $80,000 with annual licensing near $15,000 and argued a single database would let staff “optimize pavement treatments” by matching the right treatment to the right location at the right time.
Staff also presented equipment requests intended to reduce rental expenses and increase peak‑season capacity: a high‑flow skid steer to avoid recurring rentals (the department incurred more than $32,000 in skid‑steer rentals over the past two years), a tow‑behind leaf/late‑season unit to bolster fall capacity, and replacements for aging landscape and service trucks. The fleet manager summarized the fleet replacement program, noting 116 older vehicles were removed from service since the program began and the overall fleet average age is about 10 years.
On staffing, Hatcher proposed reclassifying an existing position and expanding the road inspector complement from two to three to handle inspection volume from ongoing development and telecommunications work. He said the change is a reallocation rather than an immediate net headcount increase and that the department will monitor needs going forward.
Committee members questioned funding sufficiency for the Street Aid fund and how funds are layered with bond‑funded arterial resurfacing. Staff explained Street Aid is supported by a dedicated cent‑and‑a‑half of property tax plus a general‑fund subsidy and is intended to cover neighborhood streets, sidewalks and ADA ramp work while bond proceeds support major arterials.
The committee did not take a vote on specific purchases at this meeting; staff will return as part of the FY‑27 budget adoption process with cost details and financing recommendations.
