Verona signs site-host agreement with Dane County for EV chargers at city hall and library

The Verona Common Council approved a site-host agreement with Dane County to host electric-vehicle charging stations at the city hall and public library under the 'Charge Up Dane County' program, funded in part by the USDOT/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Under the agreement, Dane County will fund, install and maintain the chargers for the first five years; the city will provide electricity and collect user fees from drivers to cover the city's energy and operational costs. After five years, the chargers will become city property. The agreement includes a protective clause allowing the city to withdraw without liability if the county’s operations and maintenance (O&M) agreement terms are unacceptable: the county will provide the O&M agreement to the city prior to construction, and the city may decline participation if it rejects those terms.

Council members characterized the deal as favorable. City legal counsel confirmed a recent state law exception allows local governments to host EV chargers open to the public. Staff said ancillary costs (lighting or plowing) are either already incurred or manageable, and the expectation is that user fees will cover city electricity costs.

The motion to approve the site-host agreement passed by voice vote with the contract subject to final review and approval by the city attorney and city administrator.