Administrator reports solar-grid delays and reassessment timing; board schedules joint work session with schools

The county administrator updated the Board of Supervisors on several operational matters, including delays to planned solar projects, a reassessment contract timing issue and plans for a joint budget work session with the school division.

Staff said a phase‑2 transmission study disclosed that three proposed solar projects require connection to a 115 kV line that is insufficient and will require Dominion Energy to construct a new 230 kV line on a parallel right‑of‑way. County staff said construction of the transmission upgrade is estimated to take 42 to 48 months and will delay the three solar projects until the line is completed; Dominion’s construction was not expected to start until September of the year discussed, subject to schedule changes. Staff noted that revenue sharing or negotiated payments tied to those projects will therefore be delayed.

The county also reported a contracted reassessment that had been scheduled for completion Dec. 30, 2024 was delayed; the assessor’s contractor agreed to deliver the reassessment information by March 15 to allow the county time to consider equalization and potential tax implications during the budget process.

Supervisors agreed to hold a joint work session with the school board on March 18 and asked staff to seek a comfortable venue (the middle school library was suggested as an option). The administrator also asked the attorney to prepare a draft lease for county property so the board could schedule a public hearing if desired.

The board discussed scheduling and venue and asked staff to proceed with planning for the joint meeting and to continue coordinating with developers on the solar projects and Dominion on transmission timelines.