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Council approves contract for solar array at Highland Park water treatment plant after split vote
Summary
Council approved a contract with Verde Solutions LLC to install solar panels at the water treatment plant; the measure passed 5–2 after questions about cost, incentives and timing.
The Highland Park City Council approved a contract on Monday to install a solar energy system at the city’s water treatment plant, voting 5–2 in favor of an agreement with Verde Solutions LLC.
City Manager Newkirk and assistant city manager Aaron Jason introduced the item as part of the council’s omnibus agenda, describing the project as a longer-term plan first included on the city’s work program in 2017. "This is an initiative that has been on our books since 2017," Newkirk said, and staff said implementation would occur in 2026 if the council supported the contract.
Council discussion focused on cost, incentives and procurement. Councilmember Littler said she supported the idea but was concerned the city's price appeared high and asked whether staff had consulted other municipal projects and school district vendors; Newkirk and staff said they had. Assistant City Manager Jason explained one factor favoring Verde’s bid: the vendor purchased panel inventory to avoid tariff-driven price increases, which staff said kept its price competitive.
Supporters emphasized available incentives. City staff listed potential offsets including a federal investment tax credit direct-pay option, ComEd smart-inverter incentives, and state grant programs. Councilmember Bloomberg said he supported approving the contract to capture current pricing and incentives and noted the city's net out-of-pocket cost could be substantially reduced if the incentives are realized.
Opponents raised unanswered questions about the timeline for recouping the city’s investment and uncertainty over incentives. Councilmember Senter voted no, and Councilmember Littleworth also voted no. The roll-call vote: Councilmember Senter — No; Councilmember Brockman — Aye; Councilmember Ross — Aye; Councilmember Tapia — Aye; Councilmember Littleworth — No; Councilmember Bloomberg — Aye; Mayor Nancy Rotering — Aye. The motion carried 5–2.
What the council approved: a resolution authorizing an engineering, procurement and construction services agreement with Verde Solutions LLC for installation of a solar energy facility at the city water treatment plant, with the city to retain ownership of the system and with a 5% deposit required at contract signing. Staff said the contract contains a termination clause and that the single upfront payment required at the meeting would be the 5% deposit; remaining payments would follow contract milestones.
Why it matters: the array would produce a modest portion of the plant’s electricity (staff estimated roughly 4% of site energy) but contribute to the city’s greenhouse-gas accounting and environmental goals. The council’s approval moves the project into design and permitting stages. Staff said they will pursue the listed incentives immediately; if available, incentives could substantially lower the city’s net cost. Staff also reported they will include the project in the capital improvement program for 2026 implementation.
