MACON, GA - The City of Macon used $6 million to purchase new fire trucks, police cars, and garbage trucks. Mayor Robert Reichert thanked the city council for the funding and lobbied them to up the ante in fiscal-year 2011, according to the Macon Telegraph.

The mayor applauded last year's decision by the council's Appropriations Committee to commit money to upgrade outdated vehicles in the city's fleet, especially those for public safety.

"Every day we send city employees out there - and sometimes to risk life and limb - and ask them to do more with less," Reichert said, adding that "doing more" shouldn't mean having to use faulty equipment.

Among the new fleet additions are two new fire engines, a new rescue vehicle and ladder truck, Aerial 33.  

In addition to energy efficiencies, Fire Chief Marving Riggins said the new fire trucks are outfitted with a "black box" that records data.

The police department also received 28 new police cruisers outfitted with "life-saving equipment," according to Macon Deputy Police Chief Henderson Carswell. He said the department will add computers, onboard cameras, and radar. Some of the oldest cars being replaced date back to 1995, according to Carswell.

New Public Works trucks will increase efficiency and help crews stay on schedule. The old trucks only held 25 yards of garbage, but the new ones hold 32 yards, which allows crews to stay out longer on their routes, according to Public Works Director Richard Powell.

The City also purchased a new knuckleboom truck, which allows a single worker to pick up substantial piles of debris alone without leaving the truck's cab.

If the council approves the mayor's proposed budget as it is - with $7 million for capital expenditures - the Public Works Department would receive five more garbage trucks, two trailers and two dump trucks, and the police department would get 30 more cars, reported the Telegraph.