The Baldwin City Council approved the city’s liability and casualty insurance premium for fiscal year 2026 and the purchase of a new vacuum truck during its regular meeting Monday night.
Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster presented the annual insurance quote to the council, noting a nearly 8% increase over last year’s premium. The policy, managed through the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), covers the city’s vehicles, buildings, equipment, and other assets. The approved premium for the year is $134,714.
In addition to insurance, council members also approved the purchase of a VAC-Con vacuum truck, a key piece of equipment for the city’s Public Works Department. The truck will be used for clearing sewer line clogs and conducting non-invasive excavation near water mains and service lines — work that reduces risk around unmarked underground utilities.
The cost of the truck, after a discount, is $405,697. The vehicle will be purchased through a GMA lease program, similar to the financing arrangement previously used to acquire a city fire truck.
Woodmaster told the council the vacuum truck has a six-month lead time, and that the first lease payment will fall in the 2027 fiscal year.
