Trenton authorizes $90,000 contract for solar tax-credit consulting

Trenton’s City Council on Dec. 22 authorized a contract with Plant Moran to provide investment tax credit consulting for the city’s solar photovoltaic installations, with the agreement capped at $90,000 and authority for the mayor to sign the agreement.

City Controller Miss Cooper said consultants are needed because applying refundable credits under section 48(e) of the Internal Revenue Code for tax-exempt entities is ‘‘very intense specialized tax knowledge.’’ She said Plant Moran’s services would help the city claim refundable credits for eligible energy-project expenditures.

"So looking to move to engage Plant Moran to provide ITC related services for the city solar PV installations in an amount not to exceed $90,000 and to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement," Cooper said during the presentation.

Council members moved and supported the item and approved it without further discussion. The contract will be used as part of ongoing city sustainability initiatives; staff did not provide a detailed schedule for deliverables or state whether any particular project sites are already enrolled for installation. The source of funds for the contract was not specified during the presentation.