The White County Board is in solid financial standing headed into 2024. With more than $1.9 million in investments including $142,824 left in American Rescue Plan funds, the month end position for 2023 is around $11.9 million. Outside of that, getting new procedures in place and holding a fluid meeting was the name of the game for the final meeting of 2023 Wednesday night. Bellwether Consulting overhauled procedures to bring the board further into compliance by adding a consent agenda and outlining proper practices throughout the gathering.
The board tabled the renewal of the Animal Control contract with Steve Heil so they could update and modernize the agreement terms. Items that did make it through the consent agenda include appointing Ralph Hall as secretary for the Norris City Fire Protection District, paying Jim Hayes for the repair of the ambulance ($10,447.99), and paying for phone/internet installation for the Probation and Ambulance buildings out of ARPA funds ($9,397.58).
The biggest talking point of the night surrounded solar and future application process/fee increase. Currently, companies looking to install solar in White County pay a $5,000 application fee. Board member David South says that’s just not enough.
“I’m gonna make a motion that we raise it to $25,000…with the thing if it costs more than that, we bill them for extra fees that’s in there now.”
County Engineer for the Highway Department Brian Ray says he’s spending an inordinate amount of his time dealing with solar, which should justify the increase.
“I’m here to tell you…I spent a lot of hours dealing with this solar stuff. A lot of hours. I’d say 50% of the time I’m northwest of Carmi, it’s because of a solar issue. I’ve got a lot of time in that. So they need to compensate us for that.”
Beyond that, Board Chairwoman Cassie Pigg says she’s getting regular contact from Boomtown Solar who is wanting to replace the decommissioning bond with a letter of credit. Ken Usery says it smells.
“To me, when they’re wanting us…reaching out to us so much to get rid of a bond, that tells me we probably need to keep the damn thing. That’s what that tells me.”
The board ended the meeting by accepting the resignation of Denton Aud as White County States Attorney effective January 2nd and appointing long time assistant Chris Neal to fill that vacancy. Board meetings will also be moving in the new year and will be henceforth held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7pm, still at the courthouse. The board adjourned at 7:40pm and will next formally meet on January 17th.
