Approximately 200 people attended a public forum Wednesday night, April 14, at the Adams Street Community Center. The forum, put on by Brown County Commissioners, was designed to hear the pros and cons of a proposed solar power farm in southwest Brown County, near Brookesmith. Arguments were made, for and against, the proposed project and the abatement being requested by the developer, IP Radian of San Francisco, California.
Christian Fiene of IP Radian, (shown in photo at podium) spoke first, describing the project and the benefits that will accrue from it. He said the tax abatement, initially requested at 85% for 10 years, has been reduced to a request of 55% for 10 years. He said over the 35 year life of the project, $9.2 million in taxes would be paid to Brown County and $16.2 million would be paid to the Brookesmith Independent School District.
Speaking in favor of the solar farm project was Steve Mickelson, superintendent of Brookesmith ISD.
“This is a gift, it’s just straight up a gift. This is monies we would not have. I think it’s the same with the county. The county would not have it without the abatement. These are monies that are going to go for some really cool things for our kids.”
Mickelson said funding for school is very difficult right now, especially since COVID. A solar farm would funnel much needed money into the school district.
“We’re going to be getting millions, you know, over time, just as the county will get millions. No one is footing the bill, except for the companies. With this money there is no restrictions on the spending which is a really cool thing. I cannot imagine any district thinking this is just not absolutely outstanding, phenomenal, bring it on, how quickly can we make this happen,” Mickelson said.
Speaking in opposition was Brown County resident and business owner Jeff Tucker.
“This is not just an issue for a small portion of Brown County. This is not merely an issue for 12 private landowners. This affects the entire county. Not only is there one particular development being done right now, there is another right behind it. So, it’s not just 2,500 acres, it turns into 6,000 in the blink of an eye,” Tucker said.
He said it boils down to short term versus long term.
“What are the short-term gains, even for a school, and what are the long-term gains? What are the cause and effects of the decisions being made by this commissioners’ court? And that’s what we would ask you to look at. We would ask you to look at the number of your citizens and neighbors, whether pro or con, as to where they stand. And we would ask you to represent their vote because that’s how you were put into office. You were elected to represent constituents,” Tucker added.
John Connaway is a landowner near the proposed project and favors construction of the solar farm.
“What convinced us to support the solar project was the positive economic benefits it could bring to our school and the county. We do have about five percent of the ranch in the project. The lease dollars we receive will not change our lifestyle at all but will allow us to do some improvements on the ranch we just cannot do with revenue from cattle and farming. What it will significantly impact is our school which has struggled financially in recent years as you’ve heard,” said Connaway.
Josh Stegemoller is a local real estate agent who opposes the solar farm.
“The first questions asked of me when marketing a ranch for sale are, can you see turbines from this ranch? Are there overhead power lines near or over the property? Are there any easements going through the ranch? The point is buyers avoid properties that have these issues associated with them. The solar farm, in my opinion, will cause the same concerns due to the fact that buyers fear the future expansion of these solar farms encroaching on their property,” Stegemoller said.
Brown County Commissioners will vote on the tax abatement request at a future date, yet to be announced.