The Sturgis City Council has approved an emergency procurement to replace a bucket truck that was heavily damaged in a traffic accident earlier this year.
According to Public Works Director Rick Bush, the city-owned truck was struck from behind on May 19 while being used during normal public works operations. The vehicle sustained significant damage and was taken out of service.
An inspection by the at-fault driver’s insurance company found repair costs would exceed 30-thousand dollars. The insurer ultimately declared the truck a total loss, determining it was not economically feasible to repair.
City officials say the bucket truck is a critical piece of equipment used daily by multiple public works divisions to maintain infrastructure, perform routine maintenance, and respond to emergencies. Its loss has created operational challenges for the department.
Funding for the new vehicle will come from insurance proceeds from the total-loss settlement, along with equipment replacement funds, capital reserves, and other approved funding sources.
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