Right after discussing more than a million dollars of possible cutbacks, Chapel Hill's town council voted unanimously to approve purchasing seven hybrid electric buses. 

According to town officials, the buses will cost $ 3.75 Million, but Chapel Hill would only have to pay $ 375,000 because a federal grant would cover the rest of the cost.

The decision wasn't without debate.

At least two councilmen argued the town should wait to purchase the buses given a projected shortfall that could amount to 10% in sales tax revenue alone, according to the town manager.

"These are not normal times, so I have no trouble giving it a fuller airing at a council meeting," said Councilman Jim Ward. Ward voted for the purchase, but he and other councilmen asked the city manager to pay close attention to purchases for the foreseeable future.

"We're leveraging $ 375,000 k into $ 3.8 Million dollars," said the mayor, in justifying the purchase.

The town manager agreed.

"We want to leverage the town's tax dollars as much as possible," said manager Roger Stancil.

"The contributions that they provide could easily disappear," Stancil said referring to the grants.

The dates for the bus purchases were not announced.