Hunt County renews Reinvestment Zone No. 9 to preserve tax incentives for 229-acre solar farm
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Summary
The commissioners approved reauthorizing Reinvestment Zone Number 9 on July 29, a step county staff said is needed to keep tax incentives in place for a 229-acre Signal Ranch solar farm; the original zone was approved Aug. 11, 2020, and county staff will resubmit paperwork to the Comptroller’s online portal.
Hunt County Commissioners on July 29 voted to renew Reinvestment Zone Number 9, a move county staff said preserves tax incentives tied to a 229-acre solar project often described as the Signal Ranch solar farm.
County staff explained the reinvestment zone was originally approved on Aug. 11, 2020, and that under current state administration a reinvestment zone must be in place before approving a development agreement or tax abatement tied to a project. Staff said the renewal order preserves the existing incentives for five more years; the county previously approved a 10-year pilot payment-in-lieu (pilot) agreement tied to the project and staff said this renewal is the step that keeps the earlier incentives enforceable for the pro forma schedule.
Staff warned that if the court took no action the zone would become ineffective on Aug. 11, possibly creating contract problems for agreements already executed and exposing the county to breach claims. The court moved, seconded and approved the order; staff said they would resubmit the renewal to the Texas Comptroller through the agency’s online portal.
No vote roll call was recorded in the meeting transcript; the judge announced the motion carried by voice vote.
