Indian Trail approves EV charging project with $157,800 town match after debate over scope
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Summary
Council voted to enter an interlocal agreement with NCDOT for an EV-charging project in town parks. The town committed $157,800 as its match while staff noted clerical errors in the draft agreement and the potential to reduce scope if costs exceed projections.
Council approved entering an interlocal agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to install EV-charging infrastructure in town parks, but councilors spent significant time debating scope, funding and draft errors in the agreement.
Town staff said the project as currently documented combines multiple federal grants and would install a total of six charging units (four dual-port level-2 chargers and two solar-assisted units) at Chestnut Square Park, Crooked Creek Park and other park locations. Staff described a clerical error in the draft memo and agreement figures and said the federal share would cover the majority of the estimated total; the town’s contribution was presented as $157,800 (about $117,000 toward the EV chargers and $40,800 toward two solar chargers).
Todd Hunsinger, who presented the project history, said the $799,000 global number in the draft was likely an overestimate and that staff expected final costs to be lower. He told council staff would correct clerical errors in the contract paperwork before execution. Several council members emphasized the importance of honoring allocations from regional programming (CRTPO) once accepted and discussed the option of removing one unit if costs rose before construction.
Councilmember Marcus McIntyre moved to approve entering the interlocal agreement with corrections that revise the $7.98 figure in the agreement to $7.89 and change the line item count to six dual-port stations; the motion also authorized staff to relocate one charging station from Crossing Paths Park if needed. The motion set the town contribution at $157,800 with $117,000 for EV chargers and $40,800 for two solar chargers. The motion passed with all present voting in favor except one dissent from Councilmember Barber.
Staff next steps include fixing clerical errors in the paperwork, confirming final bids, and adjusting scope if actual construction estimates require a reduction in units to stay within budget and grant terms.
