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Planning, zoning committee weighs township assessor vacancies, renewable-energy process and family burial rules
Summary
Officials discussed township assessor vacancies, a possible solar project and draft renewable-energy ordinances; the committee also considered state guidance on family burial grounds and recordation requirements.
The county’s planning and zoning committee discussed several regulatory matters, including vacancies among township assessors, a draft renewable‑energy/solar ordinance and questions about family burial grounds and recordation.
Supervisor of Assessments reported multiple township assessor vacancies (named townships included Artesian, Target, Ridgeland, Belmont, Douglas, Middleport and others). The supervisor outlined a proposed intergovernmental agreement and said townships that decline to hire assessors could be charged a monthly fee per parcel; work to finalize a cost study and seek legal advice was discussed.
Committee members also discussed a potential solar project near Gilman and the draft renewable‑energy ordinance. Staff said draft ordinances and a letter from an attorney had been shared with outside counsel; questions remain about public‑hearing procedures, who should serve as hearing officer, notice requirements and whether multiple hearings could be combined. Chair Doug Geiger and others asked staff to forward questions to the county attorney for legal review.
The committee received a request to consider regulations for family burial grounds and whether the Cemetery Care Act (rather than the Public Graveyard Act) applies to exempt family burial grounds and required filings; staff said they would consult the state comptroller’s office and report back.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the committee directed staff to continue legal review and prepare public‑hearing logistics for future consideration.
