Committee hears questions about EV charging billing, Starlink satellite costs and charging-station revenue

Committee members raised questions about recent billing notifications at the district’s EV charging station and about rising internet costs tied to a new satellite backup system.

One member said they received a pre-billing hold from their bank after using the charging station and asked whether that reflected a new billing arrangement. Staff said the vendor (ChargePoint) sometimes places an authorization or hold that is reconciled later; staff said they would follow up with ChargePoint for details.

Separately, staff explained that the district implemented Starlink satellite connectivity for field crews to maintain service during emergency incidents and storms. The recurring Starlink bill was estimated in discussion at about $4,600 monthly, although staff said the account can be paused in months when it's not needed for cost savings. Members noted the Starlink fee is an add-on to existing station and facility internet costs.

Staff also noted they budget conservatively for new revenue streams like charging‑station fees and will revisit projections after more data accrues.