Sparta Pursuing Back Up Brush Truck After Mechanical Issues

Ongoing mechanical issues with Sparta’s sole brush truck began the search for a back-up vehicle Thursday night.

Mayor Jeff Young proposed for the Board of Aldermen to use next year’s budgeted repair money to instead purchase an additional truck.

“Y’all know what we’ve done with our garbage trucks over the last two purchases,” Young said. “We kept our old truck to use as a back up. It’s proven to be beneficial. We’ve had to had those multiple times. I would like if the board wishes to do this to consider going ahead and taking bids for a new brush truck.”

Vice-Mayor Jim Floyd said with as much trouble the city has experienced, an additional vehicle is needed. The Board of Aldermen voted  to solicit bids for another brush truck.

Young said the city has about $25,000 in the budget to help with the purchase. Public Works Director Dillard Quick said the current truck is currently under repair in-house.

“It’s been down due to exhaust filter, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve and a turbo,” Quick said. “Once the turbo is repaired, we will get that truck back. They did send the new turbo on Tuesday, but it was the wrong one. They had one in Memphis. It got to the shop at Wednesday. I have somebody working over the weekend to try and get caught up.”

Quick said the city purchased the vehicle new about eight years ago. Quick said they usually last for about 10 years. Quick said purchasing an additional vehicle would be a step in the right direction.

“I don’t know about a brush truck, but I know that a garbage truck is about 18 to 24 months out,” Quick said. “With as much trouble that we’ve had with this brush truck, if we have a storm or something, it takes two or three months. If we had a backup, we would have two trucks at once. That would be beneficial for us.”