Stephens County to hold public hearing on Monday, May 13, about amendments to windfarm tax abatement agreement
The Stephens County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 13, regarding amendments to the tax abatement agreement the County entered into with La Casa Wind, LLC (aka NextEra Energy Resources) on March 11 related to a windfarm to be located in southeastern Stephens County. The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in the District Courtroom on the second floor of the Stephens County Courthouse, 200 W. Walker St.
According to the documents posted on the Stephens County website, some of the proposed changes include:
- Moving the start date of the project from March 31, 2024, to June 1, 2024.
- Reducing the number of days prior to the commencement of construction that NextEra is required to submit to the Commissioners Court a listing of the County Roads to be used for the project. The original agreement required 180-days’ notice, and the amendment reduces that to 14 days.
- Increases the number of new full-time jobs in connection with the operation of the project either through direct employment by NextEra or through employment by an affiliate or subsidiary. The original agreement required at least one job, and the amendment requires at least two jobs.
- Increases the amount of charitable donations that NextEra must make to certain Stephens County charitable organization(s) designated by the Commissioners Court. The original agreement stipulated $50,000, and the amendment increases that amount to $75,000.
Click here to read the entire amendment agreement.
Click here to read the original agreement.
The public hearing will be followed by the Stephens County Commissioners Court’s regular meeting. Click here to see the agenda for that meeting.
This map shows the size and location of the reinvestment zone in southeastern Stephens County where the wind farm will be located, as well as the planned locations of the wind turbines.
Cutline, top photo: Stephens County Judge Michael Roach spoke at the public hearing on March 11 regarding a tax abatement for a wind farm to be located in the southeastern quadrant of the county. At the end of the hearing, the commissioners court voted 4-1 to approve the abatement. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
