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Council approves $165,000 appropriation for energy-efficiency projects including solar at Fire Station 3
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 25-O-15 to appropriate $165,000 from the federal grant fund for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant projects: rooftop solar for Fire Station 3, an EV charging station at the Environmental Center, and a battery UTV purchase.
The Elkhart City Council adopted Ordinance 25-O-15, appropriating $165,000 from the federal grant fund for projects funded through an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, the council voted 9–0 on third and final reading.
Jeff Savatsky, director of the Elkhart Environmental Center, told the council the city was awarded $121,000 from the Department of Energy under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program and planned three projects: installing solar panels on Fire Station 3 (Mishawaka Road), installing an electric vehicle (EV) Level 2 charging station at the Environmental Center, and purchasing a four-seat battery utility vehicle (UTV) for departmental use.
Savatsky said the Fire Station 3 solar installation is expected to save between $5,500 and $6,500 annually and that, over a 30-year panel lifespan, the city would see savings approaching $180,000. He said the solar project also qualifies for a 30% tax credit (a direct payment to the municipality under the program), which increases buying power and was expected to raise the grant-supported total to the $165,000 appropriation on the agenda.
Savatsky told council the only anticipated net city cost would be “just under $6,500” because tariffs and price changes required the additional appropriation. He added the solar installation project would be executed first so the city could register the project with the IRS and receive the tax credit check, then proceed with the EV charging station and the UTV.
Council members moved adoption on second reading (motion by Councilman Fish; second by Councilwoman Hines), and the council later approved the appropriation 9–0 on third and final reading. No public testimony was offered on the ordinance during the hearing.
