At a special Silver Lake Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Silver Lake Town Hall were from left Council Members Jean Weller, Nichole Taylor and Hugh Murfin. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

SILVER LAKE — The Silver Lake Town Council has decided against applying for an electric vehicle grant.

The council unanimously made that decision at a special meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

If received, the grant would have paid for two vehicles for the town: a police vehicle and a street one.

However, the town only recently learned the grant was reimbursable, meaning Silver Lake would have to foot more than $100,000 upfront for the vehicles and chargers before being paid back. Council members stated Wednesday that played a part in their deciding against the grant application.

The council also expressed concerns about getting the vehicles as they were to purchase them from a Columbia City dealership and were concerned about not having repairs done more locally.

The council also showed general hesitancy toward EVs in general.

“I’m not a big fan of electric vehicles,” said Council Member Nichole Taylor.

Council Member Jean Weller said she was against the grant, with Council President Hugh Murfin saying he was “iffy.”