ESU budget approved; council authorizes purchase of heavier roller for road repairs

The council adopted the Environmental Services Utility (ESU) budget and appropriations ordinance for fiscal 2025-26 and separately approved a resolution to purchase a 2013 Sakai double drum roller for road repairs.

Staff reported the ESU budget shows a projected surplus of roughly $745,000 and includes approximately $2.3 million in self-funded capital for vehicles and equipment. The capital plan covers items such as tandem and double-axle trucks, lab and tech equipment, streetlight repairs and other maintenance needs.

Separately, the council approved purchase of a heavier vibrating double-drum roller (presented at roughly $28,600) to improve the quality of small-area mill-and-overlay repairs that DPW has been performing. Staff said the new roller is heavier and vibratory, providing better compaction than the smaller roller currently in use, and will support more durable local repairs.

Both the ESU ordinance and the roller purchase passed on roll call with no recorded nays. Council members noted the ESU's practice of self-funding capital in recent years and asked staff to share more details about bond and capital planning in August if borrowing is proposed.