Council authorizes steps on 50% grant for two electric trucks and a utility vehicle, staff warns of reimbursement risk

City wastewater staff briefed the council on a 50% grant to purchase two electric trucks and one electric utility vehicle to be used at the treatment plant and authorized staff to seek quotes and confirm grant commitments before purchasing.

Jerry Jackson, wastewater department head, said the grant was written around Ford Lightning pickups and that the vehicles could be charged from the city's large solar field, reducing operating fuel costs. "The grant was written around, Ford Lightnings, which have a large towing capacity, a large bed capacity. They also have a 220 volt connection that we can use to power our some of our smaller pump stations by just plugging it into the truck," Jackson said.

Jackson told the council the grant would cover 50% of the cost through NURPC, but cautioned that federal or grant funding can change and that purchases are reimbursed after the fact, creating short-term cash exposure. He asked permission to request quotes and to contact the grant administrator to confirm the award remains a going concern before making any purchases; the council approved that approach.

Council members asked clarifying questions about where the vehicles would be used (on site at the treatment plant for equipment transport and temporary power), whether the city would be required to pay upfront, and whether the funding would flow through NURPC. Jackson confirmed the vehicles would remain primarily on the treatment-plant site and that NURPC funds flow through the regional program.

The motion to authorize staff to request quotes and proceed pending confirmation of grant funding passed by voice vote.