County okays first vote on solar panel ordinance

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The Adair County Fiscal Court gave first reading to an ordinance that would require licensing and other measures before solar panels could be installed in the county.
Solar panels have dotted some Kentucky fields in recent years as companies have offered large lease amounts to landowners, but they have come with their own set of problems. As a result, local governments have established setbacks to protect neighbors and have established a safety net in case panels are left abandoned.
The ordinance would require a site plan, a decommissioning plan and setbacks. The fiscal court would vote to approve or deny an application within 60 days of its submission.
The ordinance requires a setback of no less than 2,000 ft. from property lines and any right-of-way for publicly maintained roadways. An 8-ft. fence and a vegetative landscape buffer would be required around any field with solar panels.
The applicant must have a decommissioning plan in place that must be updated every five years. A surety bond must be in place that would cover the cost of decommission and must name the fiscal court as a secondary beneficiary.
If the panels are no longer used to generate electricity or thermal energy, the decommissioning process must begin within 12 months.
A license may be transferred if ownership changes, but it must be recorded in the county clerk’s office and written notice must be given to the fiscal court.
A violation of the ordinance could mean up to a $500 fine per day.
The court voted unanimously to approve first reading of the ordinance during Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting. Two readings and a public notice are required for all ordinances.

County Joins with School District on Trail Project
School Superintendent Jason Faulkner attended the fiscal court meeting and asked the court to join with the school district to develop the “Indian Loop Project.”
“We want to create an activity trail on campus. It would be for community use, it would also be used for our students and would double for our cross country course for our sports teams,” Faulkner said.
The school district needs the county to partner with them to request grant funding. The project would be of no cost to the county and would be completely grant funded, he said.
The project would include a 3.1-mile personal development trail that is dirt, gravel and paved for walking, jogging and non-motorized vehicles. It will include seating areas and landscaping, Faulkner said.
The court quickly voted to approve the partnership and to give Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant permission to sign necessary documents for the grant application.

Road Funds Approved
The court also approved flex funds for roadways in the county. The county will receive $392,275 for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Roads that will be partially resurfaced are Lampton Lane, KY 768, KY 533 (Flat Rock Road), and KY 553 (Independence Ridge Road), for a total of 4.721 miles.

ATVs Coming to Roadways
Also during the meeting, the court discussed establishing an ordinance that would allow “special purpose vehicles” on Adair County roads. The Kentucky legislature passed a bill earlier this year that would allow ATVs and UTVs on roadways under certain stipulations and with proper registration and insurance. The court hopes to have a first reading ready for a planned special called meeting in June. The state law goes into effect June 27.
The court approved the expenditure of $10,000 for the airport board. The funds are budgeted annually.
No action was taken on a request by Bryant to charge the city for the use of inmates. County Attorney Jennifer Hutchison Corbin said she reviewed Kentucky law, and while the county cannot bill the city for using inmates, they could form an agreement if the city would be willing to pay a flat fee. Magistrate Chris Reeder commented that city residents are also county residents and it does not cost anything for the city to use the inmates.
Bryant told the court he is hiring Dennis Crump as finance officer. The court does not approve the appointment but does set the salary. While the salary has been set at $15.75 the court voted to set the salary for $14.75 for 90 days, then increase it to $15.75.
Josh Withers was appointed to the ambulance board. A second request that was not on the agenda to reappoint Darryl McGaha was postponed after Bryant said he wanted more time to review potential replacements.
A request by the tourism commission to use the Jim Blair center was approved with the stipulation that no alcohol be served.
The court approved a motion by Chris Reeder to require court permission before signs can be posted on the courthouse lawn.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com

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