Each time the Johnston County Public Utilities Department needs a vacuum truck for sewer main cleaning and inspections they rely on contractors or renting the equipment.
To more efficiently allow for routine inspections of county sewer lines and after-hours emergency response, the public utilities department will be purchasing their own truck.
County Commissioners approved the purchase this month of a Vacall truck for $367,470.41. $350,000 of the cost was budgeted in the current 2017-18 fiscal year budget. The remaining portion will come from other funding sources in the utilities department.
One of the options on the truck is a standard 5 pound fire extinguisher for $293.03. An online search revealed the average cost for the same fire extinguisher from a local retailer is between $34 and $59.
Another option are two yellow safety strobe lights for $804.55 each. An online search suggests the safety lights can be purchased for as little as $179 each. By purchasing the accessories from the dealer they will come already installed on the new truck.
The truck will be delivered to Johnston County Public Utilities during the first quarter of 2018.
