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Highland delays municipal EV charger installs while awaiting NIRPC grant decision
Summary
Building Commissioner Mika presented multiple contractor estimates for EV chargers and said NIRPC advised delaying purchases pending an 80%-funding grant application; the Council agreed to postpone installations until the grant outcome is known.
The Council reviewed proposals and cost estimates for installing charging equipment for recently purchased municipal electric vehicles but unanimously decided to delay procurement until a pending NIRPC grant decision is known.
Building Commissioner Mika said Administrative Commander Banasiak reported that a representative from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) had advised holding off on charger purchases because NIRPC has applied for a grant that, if awarded, could cover roughly 80% of charger and installation costs. The Council accepted that advice and chose to wait for the grant outcome before approving contractors or work.
The meeting packet included contractor proposals and a cost-comparison table. Foster Electric provided two line-item proposals (municipal building to garage branch circuits at $6,590 and police department feeder/panel plus two 60A branch circuits at $13,750) for a combined total of $20,340. A separate table compared totals from four bidders: Foster Electric $20,340; Emcor Hyre Electric $21,220; Sweney Electric $32,250; Midwest Electric $37,020.
Councilors expressed interest in cost-effectiveness but emphasized the staff recommendation to await the NIRPC grant before committing town funds. The discussion concluded with a Council direction to pause purchases until the regional grant application result is known.
