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Sherburne County accepts E.V. charging grant; commissioners ask staff to revisit charger siting for fleet convenience
Summary
Board approved a federal grant and local agreements to add fleet and public electric-vehicle chargers; commissioners asked staff to re-evaluate siting after concerns that the proposed chargers are less convenient to county fleet parking and might reduce utilization.
Sherburne County commissioners approved acceptance of a federal grant and associated agreements to install electric-vehicle (EV) chargers for county fleet and for a fee-for-service public charging station, but asked staff to revisit siting to improve operational convenience.
County staff said the project uses federal funds that limit site impacts and that the current recommended location places fast chargers near the entrance off Trunk Highway 10 (for corridor users) and a second bank of chargers on the northwest corner of the North parking lot for fleet charging. Staff described operational plans to charge vehicles overnight and to rotate vehicles into the fleet area for day use if utilization is affected by charger placement.
Commissioners expressed concern about the chargers' distance from where fleet vehicles are parked. Commissioner Greg asked whether moving the charging bank closer would make operation more efficient; staff said moving the chargers would require revisiting environmental documents already submitted to the state and could significantly increase costs (estimates discussed in the meeting included a range of tens of thousands to higher, depending on utility work). Staff also said additional infrastructure work by the utility (new transformer) had driven earlier planning to the current location as the more cost-effective option.
Commissioner Danielowski moved to approve the resolution (listed in the record by its identifier). Commissioner Halls seconded; the motion passed. Staff said any additional costs from siting changes would need to come from local match funds rather than the grant, and that staff will follow up with the utility (Elk River) for refined pricing if the board wants to pursue a closer location.
Why it matters: the project represents federal investment in county fleet electrification and public charging infrastructure, but commissioners asked staff to weigh utilization and operational efficiency against grant constraints and potential local costs for relocation.
Discussion vs. decision: board approved the grant resolution and contract documents; commissioners directed staff to estimate costs for alternative siting and return with refined pricing if needed.
Implementation: staff will execute grant agreements, coordinate with the utility and vendor, and report back on any local cost implications if the board requests charger relocation.
