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Parks director reports EV savings, foundation donations and wins approval to demolish Red Mill Park house
Summary
Parks department staff told commissioners LaPorte County acquired four Ford F-150 Lightning electric trucks with estimated fuel savings and installed chargers funded by grants and county funds; the board also approved a plan to demolish a deteriorated house at Red Mill County Park using park foundation/non-reverting funds with highway department assistance.
Jeremy Sabecki of the county parts department updated the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 20 about recent parks purchases, foundation donations and maintenance plans.
Sabecki said the county received four Ford F-150 Lightning electric trucks in May — two assigned to parks, one to MS4 and one to the building department — and that the county upgraded chargers and is monitoring costs. "Using NIPSCO rates ... it estimates the electric costs are about 10¢ per mile, whereas at $3 a gallon a similar F-150 would cost about 15¢ a mile in gas," he said, adding that the county has saved roughly $375 in fuel in the three-and-a-half months since receiving the trucks.
Sabecki also laid out funding for the trucks and chargers: each truck cost just under $50,000, with the county contributing approximately $20,000 and grant funds covering about $28,000 per vehicle. A public charger at Creek Ridge County Park was funded by approximately $12,000 in grant funds, about $9,000 in county funds and roughly $2,400 from park non-reverting funds, he said.
On donations, Sabecki said the parks foundation purchased an $11,600 golf cart and approved $18,800 for roofing and siding on the Novak Shelter, and has funded prescribed burns, new trails and invasive-species removal at county parks. He said the foundation approved $25,000 for a proposed wetland viewing tower that may be completed in a future year.
Separately, park staff recommended demolition of a deteriorated house on Red Mill County Park property — a building that predates park ownership and recently became vacant. Sabecki said county highway crews could assist with demolition and that dumpsters and labor would be paid from park foundation/non-reverting revenue. "I like to tear it down," he said. The board approved the demolition by voice vote.
What’s next: Staff will coordinate with the highway department on demolition logistics and fund the work from park foundation/non-reverting revenue.
