Commissioners set public hearings for new solar projects

Milam County Commissioners discussed another round of tax abatements for solar projects during a meeting on June 14.

Commissioners set a public hearing for July 26 for two additional solar projects coming to the county – the BT Jungmann project of 250 acres off of FM 2269 and the Gransolar Texas One project of 350 acres in Precinct 4.

The public hearing will be for the purposes of creating a tax reinvestment zone and tax abatement for the projects.

During the meeting County Judge Steve Young also updated commissioners on the tire clean-up that took place Saturday at the Precinct 3 yard. He said over 300 cars were in line and 10,000 tires were collected during the day. 

The tires were will be taken to Reliable Tire in Burnett. The tires will be chopped up in small pieces and burned for fuel.  The remaining metal will be recycled for other uses. This is an expensive undertaking as it cost about $2.50 per automobile tire for disposal. However, the county was able to get a grant from the Central Texas Council of Government for a large part of the cost. The county plans to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover the remaining costs.

Young also said that plans are moving along with the renovations of the new County Annex. Work began June 7 and they are currently working on asbestos abatement in the building.

In other business commissioners also: approved several subdivision variances; approved utility easements for Bartlett Electric and Southwest Milam; discussed the increase in health insurance costs for the next year; approved the extension of a public fund contact with Classic Bank; appointed Jennifer Patton to the Milam County Historical Commission; and approved the refinance of bonds.