Forest official balks at cost of green cars
He's not anti-environment, but until the costs of being green are closer to the alternative, Brent Paxton has a hard time spending the money.
"Each time we buy a Prius, we're paying more money for a smaller car. I don't see how this is economically responsible," said Paxton, a Lake County Forest Preserve commissioner from Zion.
A contract to buy three Toyota Prius hybrids for $68,085 was among 13 items Tuesday on the forest preserve board's consent agenda. That's part of the regular meeting in which all items are generally approved as a package.
Paxton asked the item to be pulled for a separate vote, part of his continuing scrutiny of green directives.
The board's green fleet policy, enacted in October, calls for commissioners to be fiscally responsible when it comes to such purchases, Paxton said. He estimated the district has "wasted" $50,000 or more over the past few years.
"We keep getting told over the long run … we will start seeing the return, and it hasn't happened yet," he said.
Mike Tully, director of operations and public safety, said the policy also calls for the purchases to be environmentally friendly.
"There is a value to being a leader in reducing pollution," he said.
A Prius costs more up front than a Chevrolet Impala. Initially, the difference was thought to be about $7,000 per car, but it wound up being about $5,600 per car, Tully said.
While a Prius gets better gas mileage, it still costs the district up to $300 more per year than an Impala.
"I do believe eventually it will be a savings as gas prices increase," Tully said.
Several commissioners emphasized the value in lower emissions.
"I wish I had one," said Judy Martini, a board member from Antioch.
Commissioners also debated which staffers need cars. Two of the hybrids were replacements, but the third was an addition to the fleet, to be used by Finance Director Bonnie McLeod.
"We're not adding cars; we're getting rid of cars because of the expense," said County Board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt.
The board voted 14-6 to approve the Prius purchases but agreed to re-examine the green fleet policy and discuss which staffers have district vehicles at a future finance committee meeting.
Forest board commissioners are also county board members. Paxton chairs the board's financial and administrative committee.
Early last year, he argued that a special certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for a permitting facility to be built in Libertyville was a "status symbol" that would add $600,000 to the cost of the building.
The board voted 16-6 against the work needed to attain that certification, although it was noted that several green features will be incorporated in the building.
"I don't have anything against hybrids," Paxton said Tuesday. "I just want to make sure when we're purchasing these vehicles we get our money's worth."