The City of Bogalusa acquired $260,000 worth of equipment for $30,000, thanks to three different state funding sources, said Director of Public Works James Hall.

The equipment includes a sewer jet, a street sweeper and two mosquito trucks complete with spraying apparatus.

“It’s all brand new,” said Hall. “Larry Miller did a good job. This is the kind of stuff that really helps the city out. It takes a lot of work. But when you see this…it’s worth it.”

Bogalusa Mayor Mack McGehee, Public Works Director James Hall and grant writer Larry Miller check out the four new vehicles recently acquired, at significant savings to the city, with state funding. DAILY NEWS PHOTOS/Marcelle Hanemann Advertisement

Miller, who writes grants and prepares funding  applications for the city, said the mosquito trucks were bought with $50,000 from the Local Government Assistance Program.

The bigger trucks were the result of state legislative action, he said and thanked Sen. Ben Nevers and Rep. Harold Ritchie for their assistance.

The sewer jet was purchased with a $150,000 state appropriation, and the street sweeper was the result of a $60,000 state appropriation, said Miller.

All were the products of 2008 applications, he said.

Mayor Mack McGehee said he appreciates Miller’s “effort and persistence.”

“This funding is very competitive,” he said. “It’s hard to get, but he stays on top of it.”

McGehee also thanked Nevers and Ritchie for “helping with the state funding portion.”

He said the city tries to get new equipment when it becomes more cost-efficient to do that than to maintain the old.

Now the only piece left to be upgraded is the truck that cuts tree limbs, said McGehee.

Hall said because the trees in Bogalusa are so tall, the city would need one with a 90-foot reach.