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City approves two NMDOT EV grant applications and authorizes charging-station purchase
Summary
The Truth or Consequences City Commission approved two resolutions to pursue NMDOT EV infrastructure grants (FY25 and a proposed FY26 application), reviewed site renderings with solar-canopy design, and authorized purchases for charging equipment to be procured via the statewide agreement; staff said construction is reimbursable on completion.
The Truth or Consequences City Commission voted to support submission and acceptance of an NMDOT FY25 EV infrastructure grant and authorized staff to apply for a second FY26 grant to expand the downtown charging site.
City manager Alvarez introduced the items and turned the presentation over to Bo Easley, who showed renderings of the charging station and described design features, including solar panels on canopy roofs and aesthetics intended to match the nearby ‘healing waters’ area. "I think this is a really good design," Bo said, noting the project team had discussed conveniences such as a windshield-washing station and picnic seating.
Commissioners asked about costs and operations. One commissioner pointed out a $13,000 "network management fee" mentioned in the packet and asked whether it was recurring; staff said the fee was believed to be for the whole project but could not confirm in the discussion. Staff also noted NMDOT requires the station to be operational for five years.
The commission approved resolution 1725/26 to accept and proceed with the FY25 grant and later approved a separate resolution supporting submission for FY26 funds so the city could potentially add a second set of chargers under the same site plan. Alvarez said a second grant would likely be built after the first, and the team planned the parking area as a single shaded, solar-ready lot that could accommodate future chargers.
Separately, staff brought a procurement item for purchases over $60,000 to acquire the charging equipment under the statewide purchasing agreement. Staff said the project costs would be incurred up front and that the grant reimbursement process meant the work would be 100% reimbursed upon completion. The commission approved the procurement request.
What’s next: staff will finalize contract documents, submit the notice of obligation and other required paperwork, and start procurement and engineering. Construction timing depends on contract award and grant administration; during the meeting staff estimated an optimistic completion window of March or April for initial work but said sequencing for any second grant would be phased.
