Official seeks council OK on sweeper

CHILLICOTHE — A top city official says he plans to seek approval from city council members to purchase a new street sweeper during 2016 budget discussions to replace an existing piece of equipment that is currently out of order.

Safety Service Director Mike Green said the city's street sweeper from 1996 is sitting at the transit facility building at Seventh and and Watt streets as officials wait for parts to come in. The sweeper had been used this summer in some instances when it was functioning, Green said.

"It's been up and down over the summer," Green said.

City officials haven't initiated 2016 budget talks yet, but Green said he intends to pursue council approval so he can buy a new street sweeper next year. However, it remains unclear whether Green's request will be approved.

"Whether I get it is up to council, but I'm going to ask for it because we need it," he said.

Green also said he wasn't sure if the street sweeper would make its way back out on city streets once the necessary parts arrive.

"I don't know if it will be working this year or not. I hope so," Green said.

City Councilman Dave Tatman said he thinks the city needs a new street sweeper, but admitted the item is one that ranks low on his priority list. He added that he needs to see a plan laid out in front of him in terms of how the streets will be cleaned up moving forward before agreeing to purchase a new sweeper.

Tatman also said the city's finances will have to be looked at closely as talks progress with different department heads.

"We definitely need to be cautious because there's so many things we need to do, we need to be careful how we spend money," Tatman said. "We got to fix what we can. A new street sweeper is important, but we got to make sure we take care of the issues we can without blowing the budget."

City Councilwoman Beth Neal said she could not comment specifically on Green's request for a new street sweeper, adding that she wants to see what other equipment he intends to ask for.

"I do have to look at it and see what the budget's going to look like. If there's room in the budget, I'll certainly support it, but I need to have my facts a little clearer," Neal said.

Still, Neal said she is hopeful the 2016 budget won't be as tight, but noted the passage of levies for streets and safety forces will help relieve some issues.

"I think we're going to be able to do more, provide more services and have more equipment that's new and up to date ... but just to say it's not as tight certainly isn't meant to say is that it will be an easy decision-making process," she said. "There's still tough decisions to be made and I think we're going to be able to do a much better job with basic city services."