More Automated Garbage Trucks For Dubuque

Dubuque City Council members voted, 7-0, to approve amending the city’s budget for the purchase of three automated side loader garbage trucks. The city’s fiscal year 2024 budget, which began on July 1, includes funds for the purchasing of two solid waste semi-automated collection trucks, and a third truck purchase is scheduled for fiscal year 2025. City staff recommended that the purchase of three automated side loader trucks be made due to long wait times to receive the vehicles. In total, the trucks will cost the city $996,000 and funding all three of the purchases will require the city to take on additional debt, which in turn would result in a 46-cent increase for the city’s monthly curbside collection rate. With the approved purchase, city staff intend to have a total of six automated side loader truck units in the city’s waste collection fleet by the end of calendar year 2024.