The end of the calendar year means that various departments in the City of Perry are starting to think about their budgets for next year.

One of the bigger budgets belongs to the Public Works Department, where they have many equipment, vehicle, and machinery needs that can be expensive. However, Deputy Public Works Director Josh Wuebker says those needs should be much less this year. Potential items on their budget include building maintenance, pickup trucks, a skid loader, a concrete saw, and a new garbage truck. The pickup trucks in particular are in need of replacing, as Wuebker says they’re nearly 20-years-old and tend to take a beating during the winter.

However, he adds you likely wouldn’t know that from looking at them. “We’re really fortunate that our equipment is really nice. And one thing is they do let us get new equipment, you know when we need it. But our employees do an outstanding job of maintenance and taking care of our equipment. And that’s important, you know some of our trucks you wouldn’t even know could be 15-years-old, because they do take such good care.”

Some things not on next year’s budget, but could be coming in subsequent years, include an asphalt overlay project and a new street sweeper. Wuebker emphasizes that those projects would be impossible if it weren’t for the local option sales tax, so he’s thankful the citizens of Perry voted to continue the tax. He says the department will continue working on next year’s budget in the coming weeks, and it should be ready to present to the City Council soon.