The Keith County Board of Commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on accepting applications for commercial wind and solar energy systems for 12 months or until the county adopts an updated comprehensive development plan and zoning regulations.

The extension, described in a draft resolution that reads in part “hereby extends moratorium resolution 2024-44 for 12 months or the adoption of the updated comprehensive development plan and zoning regulations, whichever event comes first,” was read into the record by Cody, the county zoning administrator, and approved by roll call vote. Commissioner Urban recused from the discussion and vote for a possible conflict of interest.

The board first adopted moratorium resolution 2024-44 on Aug. 7, 2024, to pause new commercial wind and solar applications while the county updates its comprehensive plan and zoning rules. Cody told the board the county is still working on those updates and presented the draft extension to allow the planning and zoning process to finish.

Paul Kinney, a resident who addressed the board during public comment, urged commissioners to approve the extension and emphasized the need for more time to gather data and complete “the real heavy lifting” of the comprehensive plan. “This moratorium gives time…allows good process, good review, good academic studies of the data,” Kinney said.

Commissioners said the extension provides space to conclude the comp‑plan process; they also noted the resolution includes the clause tying the moratorium’s end to adoption of updated county rules so the pause lifts if the plan is adopted sooner.

Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Wartman; roll call: Wartman — yes; Anderson — yes; Schroeder — yes. Outcome: approved. Commissioner Urban was noted as recused for the discussion.