GOSHEN — The Goshen City Council met Monday evening to review department and city budgets before the end of the year. As the council addressed budgets, there were two specific topics that they discussed: a grant that was given for electric vehicle charging stations for electric cars and the possible need for a city government position in the mayor’s office.
Council president Brett Weddell said he had major concerns about a grant for EV-charging.
“I don’t recall the city ever building a gas station that provided free gas to anyone,” he said. “I am a little confused about the fact that we have two EV vehicles in our city fleet.”
He continued, “I am just not sure it makes sense for our government entities to have funding for the building of EV chargers unless it was actually going to be a long-term, successful idea.”
Weddell made a motion to reduce the budget by $50,000 of the city portion of the grant. Councilman Doug Nissley, seconded the motion, but the rest of the council had additional thoughts on what makes the EV chargers’ success look like and to consider the long-term success instead of overnight success.
Councilman Phil Lederach sees the future of the EV chargers being beneficial for the community.
“It depends on what you’re looking for as success,” he said. “Immediately? Today? No. And part of it is because we don’t have the infrastructure available. Those who do have electric vehicles, plan their trips around charging stations.”
Councilors Linda Gerber and Lederach see there being potential for those who are driving through Goshen to stop, charge their car, and explore the downtown area. Councilor Gerber said that she had used an electric vehicle for a family trip and they stopped to charge the car, they were able to explore a small town during the charge and said that she would go back to that town after that experience.
Mayor Gina Leicht y addressed the council reminding them that as a government body they had agreed to the infrastructure of EV chargers.
“This government body did commit specifically to expanding EV infrastructure in the city and compelled the Environmental Resilience Department to apply for grants to fulfill that mission,” she said.
The mayor also explained that the agreement is that the city will offer the EV charging at no cost per the contract. After two years the city may begin to charge those who use the stations.
As the conversation continued, Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley clarified that the city is able to charge from after installment. The council came to the understanding that the grant amount is for infrastructure and the process of installation and the city will have to pay and provide the electricity at stations where they are placed.
The council voted that there will be a cost once they are installed and available to the community. The council voted to leave the $50,000 budget of their contribution toward EV-charging. Environmental resilience will move forward with the use and infrastructure of the charging stations.
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