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Item 1.E.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 10/13/2025 |
| Title: | DEQ Grant for Airport Shuttle |
| Presented by: | Paul Khera |
| Department: | Airport |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | No |
| Project Number: | 526011 |
RECOMMENDATION
Use a Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Grant to replace the airport's 34-year-old diesel shuttle bus with an electric bus.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The existing airport shuttle bus is 34 years old and has 433,735 miles. As a recipient of Volkswagen Mitigation Trust (EMT) funds, the airport can replace it with a DEQ-approved all-electric bus. The bus may be used to shuttle passengers during the use of the overflow parking lot, for the transport of passengers during a flight diversion, during aircraft emergencies for transport of passengers and/or victims, and to transport individuals on airport tours.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve; the use of the Montana DEQ grant to purchase a DEQ-approved all-electric bus that serves the airport needs or,
- Not Approve, forego the grant money, and continue to use a 34-year-old diesel-powered bus.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The vehicle will cost $321,850, for which 85% of the cost is covered by a DEQ Montana Energy Office Grant of $272,575. The airport will cover the remaining cost of $48,275 through airport revenues. This is a budgeted item that is expected to save the airport operational and maintenance costs.
SUMMARY
Staff recommends purchase of the electric bus using a $275,575 Montana DEQ grant.