Dunn County committee approves purchase of two electric buses, defers solar-field decision

Dunn County transit committee members voted on Nov. 12 to purchase two Phoenix Zeus 400 electric buses after a staff presentation on updated quotes, lifecycle calculations and reimbursement timing.

Austin, a transit staff member, told the committee that Phoenix Motorcars provided revised pricing and that "the total outstanding cost for these two would be $513,000; we already paid $93,078" toward the purchase. He said the county's capital budget currently shows about $607,000 available, but that reimbursements from grant programs would be processed only after the county sends proof of payment and final invoices.

Why it matters: The decision obligates the county to front significant capital costs until reimbursements arrive and raises operational questions—range, winter…