Granite County holds first reading on CPACE program; public hearing set for Feb. 25

The Granite County Commission held a first reading Jan. 28 of a resolution of intent to establish a countywide Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) program and set a public hearing for Feb. 25 at 11 a.m.

County staff said the program would allow private lenders to provide financing for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy retrofits, with loan repayment collected through a special assessment on property tax bills. “Private lenders actually lend, [and are] paid back through these tax assessments,” the staff member introducing the proposal said.

The program’s proponents said the county’s role would be limited to creating the special-assessment district and collecting assessments; lenders would vet borrowers and service projects. The county treasurer, speaking during the meeting, said her office would need to coordinate with the Department of Revenue because the county’s tax collection systems would be used to collect the assessments. She said initial setup would require staff time but expected the workload to decline if only a small number of property owners participate.

Public commenters and some commissioners pressed for details on who would be eligible, how the program would apply to agricultural properties and small projects, and whether smaller projects would meet lenders’ thresholds. The treasurer and other speakers noted that many CPACE projects nationwide are $100,000 or more and that retrofit projects are often financed at a higher share than new construction. One participant cited Deer Lodge as an example of a 100%‑financed retrofit used for solar installation.

County staff acknowledged those limits and said lenders and program partners such as Headwaters would screen applicants. “They have to show that they’ve got the income coming in, like, they can make it work,” the staff member said, summarizing how lenders evaluate applicants. Staff also said the county may be able to charge an administrative fee if demand requires it.

Concerns raised by public commenters included timing and outreach for the public hearing — several residents said holding a hearing during work hours would make it harder for small-business owners to participate. The commission said it will publish the required newspaper notices twice and accept written comments.

The commission described the near-term schedule: the resolution of intent had its first reading on Jan. 28, a second reading is scheduled next week, and the public hearing is planned for Feb. 25 at 11 a.m.; the establishing resolution would follow after the public hearing if the commission chooses to proceed.

No final action to adopt the program was taken at the Jan. 28 meeting. Staff was asked to contact program representatives (Carolyn Jones of Headwaters was referenced) to be available for the public hearing and to provide clearer model language and answers to implementation questions.

What happens next: the commission will hold a second reading next week, accept public testimony at the Feb. 25 hearing and then decide whether to adopt the establishing resolution. Written comments will be accepted in the clerk’s office before the hearing.