Solar Farm Special Exception approved

On Tuesday, the Houston County Commissioners held their first meeting of the month.

After the call to order, which took place promptly at 9 a.m., Commissioner Robinson led the meeting in prayer, and Brigadier General Jennifer Hammerstedt, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterward, Hammerstedt took the floor and briefly introduced herself and recounted parts of her childhood and time in the military.

Old business on the agenda included two public hearings for the approval of special exception applications for new businesses in Houston County. Both applications were approved.

The first items of new business consisted of more public hearings for Special Exception Applications, 10 of which were approved, and four were tabled. On the number of Special Exception Applications, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tommy Stalnaker said, “Normally, we don’t have this many special exceptions. We’ve had a lot more in recent months, and we’ve discussed it internally. It’s certainly a sign of the times, where people are looking to augment the current level of employment, or they’re doing this for a level of employment.”

Furthermore, Stalnaker went on record to proclaim his approval of the new Silicon Ranch solar farm in Bibb and Houston County. “It is in direct benefit to Robins Air Force Base,” he stated, providing a secondary source of power to the base itself. “Silicon Ranch is a good company,” he added, “I think it will be a good asset to the county.” Executive Director Angie Gheesling, as well as Chairman Ben Hulbert of the Houston County Development Authority both spoke afterward and stated their excitement for the new solar farm, as well as the industry and business it will bring to the county. Silicon Ranch is a Tennessee based “Solar Energy Pioneer,” and its solar farm within our community will be privately owned.

Also on the day’s agenda was the first reading of an Amendment to the Code of Ordinance. This change comes after changes in legislation, altering the responsibility of the person doing timber operations, as well as the penalty of this charge, moving from $500 and $1,500.

Commissioners discussed the acceptance of a supplemental grant that was applied for and awarded to the Accountability Court. According to Commissioner Robinson, this will pay for “additional contract services for treatment of participants. Acceptance of these funds would require a $1,000 match from the county.” The motion to accept this grant was approved.

Included in Tuesday’s meeting was the adoption of the Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan. According to Chief Stoner, this is a “very comprehensive plan over the next five years that outlines our goals, and some strategies to help us mitigate disasters.” He added, “We can’t prevent disasters entirely, but we can take steps to make sure that the outcome of those disasters are better, and the cost for repairs and replacements are better.” According to Commissioner Robinson, this plan is in compliance with legislation put in place in 2000, requiring every county in the country to have disaster plan specific to their area. This plan must be approved every five years. The adoption of this plan was approved.

The board went on to approve its schedule of meetings for 2021. As a part of it, the second meeting of the month has become a 5 p.m. meeting permanently.

Payment of over $9 million in bills was the final item approved on the prepared outline, and it was noted that the December 24 and 25 would be taken off as work holiday dates.

After public comments and comments from each commissioner, the commissioners went into an executive session, and then the meeting was adjourned.

HHJ News