During Port Townsend’s city council meeting on May 19 the council voted unanimously to purchase a $471,000 street sweeper. 

The city allocated $450,000 for the street sweeper in it’s 2025 budget, but the quote came in $21,412 higher than expected, which required the council to authorize the city manager to purchase equipment above the approved spending limit. 

Staff recommended that the council approve the additional funding, stating cost increases are expected to continue. 

The money for the street sweeper will come from the city’s Equipment Repair and Replacement Fund reserves, wrote Steve King, the city’s public works director, who added the city's current sweeper is overdue for replacement. 

“The current 2002 Elgin Street sweeper is on a 20-year replacement cycle and due for replacement, the fleet team has been keeping the machine operational, but it’s showing its age,” the agenda bill reads. “With the comprehensive streets program, prepping for a chip seal project then picking up chip rock and other debris is vital to operations, the current sweeper debris box liner has worn out and has been patched back together for the last few years.” 

Street sweeping benefits the city by removing accumulated pollutants like leaves, litter, sediment, and hazardous materials like motor oil, building materials, and brake dust from paved surfaces before they can be washed into storm drains, according to the agenda bill. 

“Regular street sweeping helps maintain the functionality of storm drains and drainage infrastructure,” the agenda bill reads. "Accumulated debris can clog drains, leading to localized flooding during heavy rainfall events. By keeping these systems clear, street sweeping reduces the risk of urban flooding and ensures that stormwater can flow efficiently.” 

The new street sweeper is an Elgin Crosswind Vacuum Sweeper from Owen Equipment.