County Commissioners Approve Tougher Wind, Solar Farm Ordinances
County Commissioners Approve Tougher Wind, Solar Farm Ordinances
Posted
Mark Howe-mhowe@timesuniononline.com
County Commissioners Approve Tougher Wind, Solar Farm OrdinancesWith neither any fanfare nor public comments from either side of the issue, Kosciusko County Commissioners approved a pair of ordinance amendments Tuesday placing greater restrictions on the mass production of wind and solar power.
The 3-0 vote came during the commissioners’ regular meeting.
Matt Sandy, assistant county planner, told commissioners the Area Plan Commission studied what was working well in surrounding counties and what it felt wasn’t working so well to come up with a hybrid for Kosciusko County. Sandy said that as technology in the renewable energy field improves, the ordinances can be updated to reflect those changes.
Sandy offered to go through each ordinance item by item, but commissioners had already reviewed the documents before the meeting.
Commissioners also approved a proposal from Sandy and Leah Thill with the Michiana Area Council of Governments to renew the county’s agreement regarding its EPA brownfields assessment grant for 2019. MACOG applies for a grant to study sites that may be contaminated in Marshall, Elkhart and Kosciusko counties.
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Dept. Lt. Rick Shepherd presented a pair of grants for drunk driver patrols and Operation Pullover, which were approved by the commissioners. The grants total $24,900 and will primarily go toward overtime pay for officers working the patrols.
County Administrator Marsha McSherry presented the commissioners with a rate study performed on the county’s electrical meters. Only one meter, at the justice building, qualified for a rate change, but it will save the county about $2,500 per month.
McSherry also asked the commissioners to approve the interlocal agreements for terminal services data and a resolution for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. Commissioners approved both items.
Four bids for snow plowing services were received by the county, from SiteWorx Services LLC, Warsaw; Mann’s Paving & Seal Coating LLC, Warsaw; Lee Batalis Construction & Excavating Inc., Warsaw; and Steve’s Hauling, Excavating & Snow Removal, Warsaw.
The bids will be reviewed and a recommendation will be presented by Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden at the next commissioners meeting.
Bob Weaver asked the commissioners to reappoint Drs. Thomas Howard and Dennis Woodward to the county’s health board. The commissioners approved the appointments.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved an updated contract for bridge work with USI Construction of Indianapolis.
• Granted a request from Amanda Landis of Kosciusko Area Bus Service to accept federal and state funds into the KABS budget.
The next county commissioners meeting is 9 a.m. Oct. 30.
