Pre-meeting release for 10/10 session

Commissioners to discuss letter to state officials on wind policy
Also to consider sending letter to state development agency

[Tiffin, OH Oct. 8, 2019] – The Seneca County Board of Commissioners is to meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at its office, 111 Madison St.
During old business, the board is to continue an ongoing discussion about potentially submitting a letter to State Rep. Bill Reineke that outlines the commissioners’ stance related to industrial wind turbine projects in the county.
Commissioner Shayne Thomas penned the first draft of a letter and distributed it to the other commissioners for their consideration at a previous meeting.
The draft states, “In Seneca County, we have had significant public discourse around the development of wind resources and utility-scale wind farms. We have incredibly engaged citizens and public officials. If wind development moves forward in Ohio, we feel duty-bound to offer our recommendations for improving the wind development process.”
Thomas’ letter suggests that the Alternative Energy Zone that was supposed to act as local control for counties, is no longer serving its purpose as doing such because of the significant reduction in the cost of these projects. The letter also suggests a better, and earlier mechanism for notifying local residents of projects and a net present value calculation that keeps the local taxing authorities whole as to the time value of money.
The board also is to consider drafting and submitting a letter to the Ohio Development Services Agency related to sPower’s Seneca Wind Project.
Commissioner Mike Kerschner drafted the letter, clarifying the county’s stance that the project will no longer be eligible for AEZ benefits because sPower withdrew its application and is to refile. In March, the county sunset the AEZ program. Within the resolution approved by the board, it states, “although the Seneca Wind and Republic Wind projects are accepted under the 2011 AEZ agreement, if they must resubmit their applications they would no longer be grandfathered under the agreement, based on a determination by the Ohio Power Siting Board.”
In other action, the commissioners are to discuss possible changes to their upcoming meeting schedule.

During resolutions, the board is to consider:
* A $46,712 supplemental appropriation to the Maintenance and Repair Fund for equipment.
* A $656.20 supplemental appropriation to the County Sewer District Fund for contract services.
* A $4,931.82 supplemental appropriation to the county engineer’s CR 10-35-61 Resurfacing Fund transfers out line and a fund transfer in the same amount to the Maintenance and Repair Fund’s transfers in line.
* A $1,000 supplemental appropriation to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Fund.