Aurora board authorizes deposit for 2027 Slate EV pickup for town use after parks/highway presentation

The Town of Aurora voted to approve a $300 deposit toward a 2027 Slate EV 4x2 pickup priced at $25,499.99, with the remaining balance to be paid from account DB 50130217 within the 2027 budget. The supervisor asked for a motion; Jessica Ambreast moved and Ray Rasen seconded, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Highway Superintendent Dave Gunner presented the request and provided technical and financial details in support of the purchase. He said the vehicle has a roughly 200-mile range, will tow about 2,000 pounds and carry about 1,000 pounds in the bed, and carries a "4-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10 year 100,000 mile battery warranty." He told the board the department averages about 15 miles a day with park trucks and noted the manufacturer claims annual savings of "$1,000 in fuel and $600 in maintenance," adding he thought the vehicle was "the best deal for our taxpayers."

Gunner explained the department expects to sell the oldest pickup for approximately $500 and said the Slate is intended for local, off-highway work rather than heavy snow-plowing or long-haul towing. He acknowledged procurement challenges from manufacturers and that exact comparables are limited, but said the vehicle meets the town’s operational needs for routine tasks. A board member described it as a small half-ton work truck appropriate for town use.

The transcript records the board approving the deposit motion and noting the delivery would occur in 2027; the motion authorizes the deposit and the budget plan to fund the balance in next year’s budget.