Pulaski County delays decision on Mammoth solar tax abatement after public hearing; schedules executive session to negotiate terms

Pulaski County council members on a public hearing on a proposed tax abatement for the Mammoth Pastures and Mammoth Grazing Lands solar project heard developer representatives and consultants explain the project’s projected tax and economic effects, received more than an hour of public comment, and voted to table a final determination and convene an executive session to negotiate an economic development agreement with the developer.

The council heard Doral Renewables representatives describe the project and their proposal for a personal‑property abatement paired with an economic development agreement (EDA). Kevin Parzic, senior vice president with Doral Renewables, told the council, “We are not looking for any kind of handout or anything like that. We are looking to work with the county on coming up with a very favorable agreement that’s good for both the county and the project.” He said the company sought predictability in costs for lenders and investors and was open to negotiating EDA terms.

County consultants and independent advisers presented the tax and economic analyses the council requested. Greg Balsano of Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors summarized the firm’s tax‑impact study, saying the project would reclassify about 5,265.6 acres from agricultural use to utility, increasing land assessed value by roughly $60.1 million. Baker Tilly’s model…