[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6616905,"mediaKeyId","2847496-caa06e7a68d4ac49ee33c6d8c8e61d7a","parentId",2847496,"title","Votes at a glance: Emmons County commissioners approve three building-permit items","audioSeconds",591,"startMs",4890000,"endMs",5481000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847496-caa06e7a68d4ac49ee33c6d8c8e61d7a&start=4890&end=5481","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847496-caa06e7a68d4ac49ee33c6d8c8e61d7a/thumbnail_4890000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616905/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Emmons-County-commissioners-approve-three-building-permit-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616905-afd02bb7e1b783df0f69cb8caf32e0e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136925&Signature=jt7DRp0bw-hEqVuMqiGfuEK3vRudw65Xo9M~ip9Or363CKXh8zQ4Z85Pq7N9VB-4~EPDWuigpZEsuTB5dNNLgy2PT~NVOqsN37BWCzQyE0buAU93R5a4~HfYHbbMDB6xwrO8JjR20p9TE7XIlPBfmUZsqhU3lIRY~MC5fUviQk4cbcK5~piWL7Jwg70Du~~2hNvlxZAkSGacZaZjuC3ijqhL8-C6rvtzp3OYksqHCQoOS~HTrSLbleZRnwCOMbMwMxnbs1FioTCz4v8Z6aiS0iIYCiHuHA3T-eIZOyWAZa-Xi7Qc~pK0ftY5e5L1WYxsyxSjleRu4-1djhdS2JWOrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Emmons County, KS","date","2025-04-02T13:33:42.983Z","article","The Emmons County Board of Commissioners approved three routine permit and building items during the meeting. Each motion passed by voice vote; no roll-call tallies with named votes were recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Item 7: Approve tax-parcel update for parcel 52-0003-00144-000 (tax year 2024). Motion to approve (mover not specified); second by Commissioner Miller. Outcome: approved (voice vote; \"Aye\" recorded). Note: agenda description referenced a tax-credit or parcel update.

- Item 8: Permit A Train Auto LLC to erect a 12-by-54-foot shop on Lot 4 West Half of the Southeast corner of Section 15-13-176 (combined Lot 3/4 note in discussion). Motion to approve by commissioner (mover not specified); second by Commissioner Miller. Outcome: approved (voice vote; \"Aye\" recorded).

- Item 9: Permit related to a residence moved onto Government Lot 2 near Ginnerville (legal description provided). One commissioner abstained from Item 9 because he had been asked to perform possible work on the project; remaining commissioners approved the motion. Outcome: approved (voice vote; abstention recorded).

How the board recorded votes

The transcript shows each motion moved and seconded (often seconded by \"Miller\") followed by the chair asking \"All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries.\" The meeting record provided no roll-call-style named vote tallies for these items in the transcript excerpt.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Emmons County Commission Meeting 4/1/25 pt 2","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved three routine permit items, including a tax-credit parcel approval and two building permits; motions carried unanimously by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded.","taxTitle","Emmons County, North Dakota","taxId",77577,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616907,"Emmons County commissioners debate creating job development authority, $25,000 request for irrigation project draws concern",1550,2520000,4070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847496-caa06e7a68d4ac49ee33c6d8c8e61d7a&start=2520&end=4070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847496-caa06e7a68d4ac49ee33c6d8c8e61d7a/thumbnail_2520000.jpg","/articles/6616907/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Emmons-County-commissioners-debate-creating-job-development-authority-25000-request-for-irrigation-project-draws-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616907-f73a06bd6f72416b316a76bc052c95e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136925&Signature=BXikkdK6rFBdGSX3baYzkzic~t5ZHbPRN~9hqfSOYHTx1pXizAy4Til5u5GOYOXcP2Tj6pAtuhCnWs-cpVBVNzEAW29iWuExDxTQTENW9dh-QsQtAZp9Z5PIdJ9QTY3c-hn6E6x~U8iBNS~cbxtlhAxK2c~J3Cg5igOxTtjGhbpqajXBRduglYmI2GFF5AC8NOdKR6~gxReRPk6gXpQsi~678R~JD9RrWAAeTz6e8d-QAZlxBo-c98RYR6TV2QWJLqV7txEuxzgkbr8YXfJ3u~ZzgRQCQy8shfew20mq69mgpolN6Hm7BVQ0gKUiuty46TktNTJGGpmZrJFs0bXFTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emmons County commissioners spent an extended portion of the meeting debating whether to create a county job development authority (JDA) to provide a standing funding mechanism for economic projects and whether the county should provide a one-time $25,000 contribution to an irrigation feasibility project.

Commissioners discussed statutory authority, funding mechanics and politics. Staff pulled Century Code language showing the board can create or discontinue a JDA by resolution, and electors can also petition to remove a JDA. Commissioners who spoke described a JDA mill levy ceiling of 4 mills and estimated that each mill would raise roughly $38,000 to $42,000 countywide depending on included city valuations.

Why it matters: a county-level JDA would give Emmons County a formal mechanism to pool funds for economic-development projects, but it also could trigger public pushback because it is funded by a property-tax mill levy and because individual cities in the county already maintain development corporations.

Key points from the discussion

- Authority and process: Staff read the Century Code provision that the Board of County Commissioners \"by resolution may create a job development authority for the county or may discontinue\" one. Commissioners noted both paths exist: the board can create or discontinue by resolution, and electors have a petition route to put removal on the ballot.

- Revenue and scale: Commissioners and staff estimated that one mill would generate roughly $38,000 to $42,000 for the county depending on whether city valuations are included; combined city and county levies cannot exceed 4 mills. Commissioners discussed using a modest mill (for example, one mill) as seed money rather than a long-term large levy.

- Governance: Commissioners said a JDA board would typically include 10 to 20 members, with two county commissioners on the board and representation from cities above certain population thresholds and local organizations. Commissioners discussed whether a JDA could be administered without a full-time staff person.

- The irrigation request and the $25,000 question: A local irrigation feasibility group requested $25,000 for project work. Commissioners split on whether to provide the money from the county general fund, noting the road department and other county needs could use the same funding. Multiple commissioners said they were sympathetic to younger residents and development projects but not comfortable diverting limited county general funds without a dedicated mechanism.

- Political risk: Several commissioners warned a new mill levy or a perceived county contribution to an outside project could generate petitions or negative reaction and likely would end up on the ballot if residents objected.

Next steps

The board did not adopt a resolution at the meeting. Commissioners agreed to gather additional information, consult the cities and stakeholders, and discuss the JDA idea further at a future meeting before deciding whether to (a) propose a mill levy, (b) create a JDA by resolution, or (c) decline to act.

","Commissioners discussed forming a job development authority (JDA) with a levy of up to 4 mills, potential revenue per mill of roughly $38,000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6616912,"Company proposes battery-storage installation adjacent to Spiritwood wind site in Emmons County",2130,227000,2357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2847496-caa06e7a68d4ac49ee33c6d8c8e61d7a&start=227&end=2357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2847496-caa06e7a68d4ac49ee33c6d8c8e61d7a/thumbnail_227000.jpg","/articles/6616912/Emmons-County/North-Dakota/Company-proposes-battery-storage-installation-adjacent-to-Spiritwood-wind-site-in-Emmons-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616912-67fab7c2cb3a91691ecf937d3c7846ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136925&Signature=aHfntGCZrvhevwdMsRTixA2HrMaUnKi8VKJs576fynoipNFHi4F7rGvh3tX69w7rrnYT23rjrJiuylRdZ9eLpPIqiYtJUB1eaF8OTOIlYg5a7OUyANXVkFV3fQsG0yEX~0cA6UbxsKITSqKq4mypzldGvFveg3J8CtDBKHQTVbUHpnJot0u1PBkctfAx11KqbMYAWWM6ntaksxstQ3I3HhAzvO7HPkfThgYp9M7tdgv114robwsvkup6fjQwLMZlTczJVMEH-9M4RLGAEDyeunooYVPlPM9PKfZjmjAwYe8dAOkJe-5ax2mnkP0syhgSIUI51a4H3lOW69hK~eIjlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A company representative told the Emmons County Board of Commissioners that it plans to site containerized battery-storage units adjacent to an existing wind-farm substation near Spiritwood and asked county staff about the permit fee, setbacks and timing for local and state reviews.

The presenter said the proposal would place battery containers on agricultural property near the substation in the same section as a prior wind project. He said the company intends to follow the same fee approach used for the earlier wind permit (February 2018), when the county assessed a total fee of $29,750, and proposed applying a per-container rate to the 38 containers planned for this project. The presenter said that approach would result in a charge of about $34,000 under the proposed math. He described the total project cost as about $185 million \"ish.\" The company said the planned battery units would have a lifespan of about 30 to 35 years and would likely follow the wind project's decommissioning schedule.

Why it matters: utility-scale battery storage can change how local generation is used on the grid by storing excess energy and discharging at times of need. Local permitting questions include which zoning setback rules apply, whether the county treats the site as agricultural or industrial for fee and setback purposes, and how local reviews interact with state Public Service Commission (PSC) processes.

Details presented and questions from the board and staff

- Fee history and proposal: The presenter said the earlier wind application was processed as an agricultural conditional use (CUP) in 02/2018 with a county fee of $29,750. For the battery containers he proposed applying the same per-unit calculation used previously (the presenter described it as the $250-per-unit approach), which he said would produce roughly $34,000 for the proposed 38 containers. County staff and commissioners discussed whether the agricultural application fee or an industrial fee (a percentage of project cost) should apply.

- Site and setbacks: The company said the battery containers would be placed within the existing footprint near the prior turbine infrastructure and the substation but noted final siting would depend on setback calculations; planners and commissioners debated how county ordinance pages and definitions apply. Participants referred to the county zoning ordinance language on setbacks (agriculture district setbacks, primary/major roads and a 250-foot radius at intersections) and questioned whether the nearby federal-aid route should be treated as a primary highway or as a major rural road for setback measurement (centerline vs. right-of-way).

- Permitting sequence and PSC timing: The presenter said the company expects to file with the PSC around the same time as the local permit application and that the PSC typically waits for local permits before scheduling hearings; the company said the PSC would accept a concurrent submittal but would not issue completion dates until local permitting was finished.

- Safety and decommissioning: The presenter said the battery units are self-contained, resemble storage containers, and will be sited and vented to meet NFPA 55 (the standard referenced in the meeting) and that the site would be fenced with cameras. He also addressed questions about decommissioned wind-turbine blades, saying the industry has begun grinding blades for use in cement and other applications.

- Timeline and economics: The company said it aims for construction in a September window if PSC timing permits, otherwise spring work would begin; it described tax credits and production/infrastructure tax credits generally applicable to the industry but said specific credits (a referenced \"Q45\") would need clarification from the company's tax experts. The presenter said economic-impact and tax studies are being prepared but that detailed tax treatment was \"not specified\" at the meeting.

Next steps and follow-up

The presenter said he would meet with county planner Marlys to review the application and to provide more precise site maps and tax/credit information during the county's conditional-permit (CP) process. Commissioners asked the company to bring technical experts (e.g., on fire safety, interconnection studies and tax treatment) to future CP hearings, and staff said they would clarify which fee category and setback measurements the ordinance requires for the proposed siting.

","A company representative told county commissioners it plans a battery-storage project sited next to an existing wind farm substation near Spiritwood, asking to follow the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Emmons County commissioners approve three building-permit items

Emmons County commissioners debate creating job development authority, $25,000 request for irrigation project draws concern

Company proposes battery-storage installation adjacent to Spiritwood wind site in Emmons County