Tracking systems move closer to becoming Elgin reality

Elgin leaders have decided they need digital eyes and ears when it comes to monitoring 126 public works vehicles.

On Wednesday, the council's committee of the whole unanimously agreed to spend $142,045 on automatic vehicle tracking systems from Interfleet Inc.

The council will take a final vote next month.

Vehicles that deal with snow removal, leaf collection, water mains, sewers and inspections - roughly a third of the city's fleet of 430 vehicles - would be equipped with them.

The gadget, roughly the size of a desktop telephone, would send signals to a computer with a map of Elgin that shows where vehicles are and who is closest to assist in any given situation.

"I hope it's going to be money well spent, and like any other tool it depends on how you use it," Councilman Dave Kaptain said.

The gadgets are in part a reaction to perennial complaints from residents about what they've said is Elgin's poor snow removal, street salting, leaf pickup and storm cleanup. They have a self-checking feature.

If, for example someone claims city workers didn't salt on his or her street, the system lets supervisors review timelines to see whether a specific truck spread salt on that street.

The devices also are intended to help improve operations.

"I think they're going to really help us be more efficient, because we'll be able to see overlap, if two cars are in the same place," Mayor Ed Schock said.

Officials are aiming to install the units by winter.