Council approves statements of benefits for city solar sites; staff to forward documents to auditor

The Scottsburg City Council approved statements of benefits for proposed solar developments inside the city during its June 8 meeting, and staff said the mayor will sign the paperwork before it is taken to the county auditor.

City staff member Josh presented two statements of benefits received in May and described the Solar Array LLC site on Miranda Lane as being within city limits after annexation noted in meeting materials. "To my knowledge, it is in substantial compliance," Josh said, asking the council to authorize the mayor to sign the forms and to forward them to the auditor's office.

Councilors voted to approve the combined motion covering both statements of benefits. No individual motion maker or seconder was recorded in the public portion of the transcript; the presiding official called for the ayes and the measure passed.

Why it matters: statements of benefits are typically required paperwork for projects seeking property-tax abatement or other incentives; signing and filing with the county auditor advances the administrative process for the projects.

During discussion, the council also noted Scottsburg's affiliation with the Indiana Municipal Power Association. One council speaker said INPA has multiple generating resources and that Scottsburg and Lawrenceburg have among the state's lowest municipal electric rates because they own generation and distribution assets.

The council did not take additional financial action at the meeting; staff said they would forward the signed statements of benefits to the auditor's office and would raise any questions from the auditor if they arise.