Board approves PACE program after public hearing; amendment requires board review of final projects

The Barry County Board of Commissioners voted to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, adopting Resolution 25‑09 after a public hearing and a friendly amendment that requires final projects to return to the board for approval.

Why it matters: PACE programs let property owners finance energy‑efficiency and renewable‑energy improvements that are repaid via a special assessment. Supporters told commissioners PACE is a tool to encourage development and help finance projects that otherwise may be harder to build; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, lender conflicts and the need for limits and clearer language.

Public comment and staff clarifications Several members of the public urged tabling the request for more review. One speaker said the packet “places an unwanted burden on government, which is a burden on taxpayers,” questioned whether county staff time was being diverted to the EDA, and asked whether special assessments should be paid at sale and whether legal counsel had reviewed the documents. A different commenter asked…