Yellowknife (May 12/04) - A city recommendation to buy an expensive sewer flush truck almost didn't get a green light Monday night, after a tie-breaking vote from acting mayor Wendy Bisaro was needed to seal the deal.

Three city councillors at Monday's regular meeting -- Doug Witty, Alan Woytuik, and David McCann -- called it an extravagance; while three others -- Mark Heyck, Blake Lyons, and Bob Brooks -- said it was time to put the existing 15-year-old flush truck out to pasture.

The truck is used to flush out clogged sewer pipes. City administration contends that it no longer functions properly, and can't handle the job.

City council had earlier agreed to include the $350,000 purchase in this year's budget, but some still think the city could manage by simply repairing the old truck, and using a smaller one as a back-up.

Witty said his years of mechanical experience tells him that the city's truck can be fixed to a functioning level, and for a lesser expense to taxpayers.

The truck currently being used is valued at $20,000, but would cost another $80,000 to repair.

"We got a quarter million that we're spending, and I don't think we made the case for that," said Witty.

"We're not driving to High Level to service their sewers."

Coun. Bob Brooks said, however, that this isn't the time to "throw good money after bad.

"I think after 15 years, we got our worth out of it," said Brooks.

In casting her deciding vote, Bisaro said they may have been able to extend the life of the vehicle had the city not eliminated the fleet manager position a couple years ago, but she felt it was too late now.