La Porte Board approves solar payment, Tipton Street award and multiple grants; orders one‑year trash refund

The La Porte City Board of Public Works and Safety voted Tuesday to approve a series of routine and capital actions including a $275,922.35 first payment for the city’s solar project, the award of the Tipton Street utility relocation contract, two basement backup grant reimbursements and a one‑year refund of assessed commercial trash charges.

The board unanimously approved the solar contractor’s first pay application of $275,922.35, a payment described by staff as an upfront purchase of American‑made components and project development costs to secure a federal 30% rebate. Tucker King, who presented the payment request, said the expenditure represents about 21% of the overall project and was necessary to capture the incentive. Jerry Jackson, who operates the city’s water/wastewater utilities, told the board the city expects roughly 50% average generation over a year and cited a…