Commissioners move forward with solar energy projects

Milam County Commissioners moved forward with solar energy projects  and honored outgoing commissioner Donald Shuffield during their final meeting of the year Tuesday. 

Commissioners once again moved forward with several solar energy projects. In a series of 3-1 votes, with Precinct 1 Commissioner Henry Hubnik opposed in each instance, they voted to create reinvestment zones for Ben Milam Solar 3, Two Rivers Energy Storage, Rosebud Solar, Milam 2 Solar, Milam 2 Solar Phase 2, and Ben Milam Solar 6. 

Each of these projects also saw a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, tax abatement agreement approved by 3-1 votes. 

Judge Steve Young and the court also recognized outgoing Precinct 2 Commissioner Donald Shuffield for his eight years of service on the court. He was absent at the last meeting when other elected officials were recognized. 

In other business, the Court approved employee handbook updates and procedures; approved construction deadline extensions for various solar projects and $50,000 extension fees on each; approved certificates of completion; and appointed Melanie Reed, Matt Humble, Billy Vance, Mary Lou Loehr, Ernest Garza, Lori McVoy, and Dan Fischer to the Milam County Railroad Museum Board of Directors.