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STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County Commissioners say they need to do their homework before they consider a clean energy company's request for a tax break.
Representatives of BQ Energy, the New York firm behind a solar project in development on Fernwood behind the AEP substation, were at Thursday's meeting to talk about the project and a proposed payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, agreement, that would impact property tax collections.
Spokesman Lori Cuervo said the project, to be constructed on a 250-acre brownfield site, will have a 49.5 megawatt capacity -- enough energy to power about 8,000 homes. It's expected to be in commercial operation date in 2024.
BQ has proposed an in-lieu-of payment at a minimum of $7,000 per megawatt, which would be allocated based on county millage rates, Cuervo said. The maximum would be up to additional $2,000 per megawatt, all of which would go into the general fund. At those rates, the company figures the base rate would generate about $346,500 a year for the life of the agreement, about 35 years.
"Our reason for being here today is just to start the discussions with you on what we would like to talk about doing between that $7,000 and $9,000," Cuervo said.
She said the project will create about 200 construction jobs, but once it's in place there'll be 10-20 positions assigned tasks for landscapers, electricians and the ilk, but the solar station will be unmanned.
Commissioners said they need to know more, including the provision in the state code that even makes PILOT an option.
"It's an economic development tool, but it will take us longer than five minutes to digest how it will affect us," Commissioner Dave Maple said. "I definitely have to read that section of the code."
Maple did say state code "reads 'FTEs,' full-time employees, but she's saying 'zero'."
"If we're giving a big tax break for zero employees, that's going to be a rough decision," he added.
"It's very interesting," Commissioner Tony Morelli said. "But I also would like to do a little homework."
Commissioner Tom Graham said he'd also like to find out if and how the BQ project fits into the County Commission Association of Ohio's solar savings program. That program explores the savings potential for counties interested in installing ground-mounted solar arrays.
"It's all very interesting," Commissioner Tony Morelli agreed. "I also would like time to do a little homework."
Commissioners asked the BQ group to return in a few weeks for a more in-depth discussion.
Also Thursday, commissioners declined to sign the $8,000 contract for the holiday lighting display after the prosecutor "had several issues with" the six-page contract, including a $4,000 non-refundable reservation fee.
"I think they're making it too hard," Maple said. "I'm okay doing an invoice and a memorandum. I don't know why we need to sign a six-page agreement for Christmas lights."
Maple moved to have the clerk tell the company "the county won't be signing the contract, but we're willing to pay that, you can give us the coverage on the insurance, send us an invoice and we'll go forward."
His motion passed 3-0.
Water and Sewer District Director Mike Eroshevich, meanwhile, told commissioners another local contractor has signed up to do the tie-ins for Amsterdam's sewer project, though property owner John Rucki voiced concern that a contractor "called me at 8:30 a.m. on a weekday and asked if I would like to have my sewer connection that very day."
"I already had an important appointment, so I could not agree," Rucki said, adding the contractor balked when he asked him about installing a check valve to protect against backups.
Rucki complained that residents "are still at the mercy of a system that has no provision for even the hint of competitive bidding. It is highly disfunctional."
"This contractor has not been to my property, did not mention any price or estimate," Rucki said. "No doubt he doesn't feel it (necessary) because he knows we have few options."
Eroshevich said roughly 60 of the 400 residential connections have been completed.
In other business:
— Maintenance Supervisor Patrick Boyles said the third floor courtroom project hasn't hit the halfway mark. He estimated it is "about 40 percent (complete), maybe 50 percent at the most …" The original date was Dec. 12, we just extended that date to Dec. 30," Boyles said.
He said the delays were caused by moving all the piping for the boiler, and finding the pipe.
"It's all here now," he said, adding it should be in place by Monday. Then the framework will come in Tuesday and Wednesday, "that's when you'll really start to see things (getting done)."
He said if it wasn't for the piping issues, "we would probably be 80 percent complete right now."
— Boyles also said the fence surrounding the fire escape work site should be down early in December, "then we wait 'til April for the paint."
Commissioners also thanked Steubenville Building Inspector Anthony Bodo for working so well with Boyles.
— Commissioners agreed to install new carpet in the Law Library while they figure out what upgrades make sense. The director is hoping to beef up usage numbers by creating a better meeting room.
— Declared the purchase of a 2023 Chevy 2500 pickup for the county highway department's weight enforcement officer an emergency.
Chief Deputy Engineer Clay Merrin said the current vehicle "is at the end of its useful service life."
"We have attempted unsuccessfully to replace the vehicle" using state-approved purchasing plans, Merrin wrote. "The current vehicle is a 2013 Chevy Tahoe with about 250,000 miles. It has become unreliable due to engine issues including burning motor oil and fouled spark plugs. If the vehicle is taken out of service, (the deputy) would not be able to perofrm his normal duties as we do not have a backup."
Merrin told commissioners the truck they want is on the Northstar Chevrolet lot and would cost $53,666.90. Although that's in excess of the state-mandated $50,000 bidding threshhold, he pointed out that in an an emergency they can spend up to $100,000 without going through the time-consuming bidding process. He also said he obtained three price quotes as required by law.
Merrin and County Engineer Jim Branagan told commissioners without the enforcement vehicle, "the roads would not be safe."
— Awarded the county's tree removing contract to Blue's Tree Service, Burgettstown, for $119,500. The engineers estimate was slightly lower, $110,000.
— Tabled action on Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association request that they "affirm your present (Revolving Loan Fund) committee member or designate a new representative" by Nov. 21. That position is currently filled by Commissioner-elect Eric Timmons. Commissioners said they'll have to look into whether Timmons can continue to serve on the RLF once he's sworn in as commissioner, or if he'll even want to.
— Agreed to look into getting a new slide for the county-maintained Picoh Park in Steubenville. City crews took the old one down because of condition concerns.
— Maple congratulated winners in Tuesday's county races and applauded Graham for running, albeit unsuccessfully, "an incredibly professional" campaign. Graham was unseated in Tuesday's general election.
Morelli added, "Personally, I would just like to say he and Commissioner Maple have both been very very helpful to me. When you come in here and sit beside a couple real veterans, it makes a big difference if you work together. We certainly don't agree on everything, I don't think we should agree on everything, but I think we keep this office, we run it, in a very professional manner. A lot of that has to do with the people before me. Commissioner Graham worked very very hard, he's done a lot of good things for Jefferson County.
"I also need to congratulate Commissioner-elect Timmons. I'll try to pass on what was passed on to me and help him in any way I can."
Graham thanked them both, and said he'll have "more to say later as I get closer to the end of my term."
"But for right now, I'm going to Disney World," he joked.