Among the matters handled at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Cuming County Board of Supervisors, the board approved a memorandum of understanding regarding use of state software, the certification of progress compliance and the year end certification for the County Roads Superintendent. A presentation by the Garland Company for consulting and project management of roof replacement at the court house explained that the old roof will be completely removed before the new roof can start. That new roof will have several protective layers and a water proof coating. Keith Karnes with Garland says that contractors will be assessing the damage to the roof and provide estimates of repairs.
A discussion of a proposed solar energy and battery storage project began at 2pm with Eric Klitz, Mark Wooldrik and Chet McWhorter. That proposed project, if approved, would be constructed on 25 acres near the West Point Dairy. Supervisor Judy Mutzenbarger says many of her constituents expressed concern about the safety of such a plant, especially with large batteries as part of the plan. Mark Wooldrik, a West Point native, says federal and state safety parameters will be in place, and as a resident he wants the project to be safe as well. He cited that the project will help expand the tax base for the county, He requested that the board lift the temporary moratorium on solar and battery projects. He would not be requesting TIF financing but did say that tax breaks would be conducive to that project getting underway. Others said the proposed site is not good crop or grazing land. Board members said they will have to take a little time to consider the statutory regulations in the matter.
Also on the agenda for that meeting, a concern brought up by candidate for County Board, Loren Siebrandt, regarding hog barns and pollution in area waterways and that pollution has impacted his health. Supervisors advised him that the City of West Point handles water quality issues in town, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources District are also entities that deal with area water quality. Siebrand recommended that the board should be more active in getting water pollution under control. At this point, the board of supervisors went into executive session to discuss personnel issues.