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Supervisors approve engagement letter with Ahlers & Cooney to draft county solar ordinance
Summary
The board approved an engagement letter with law firm Ahlers & Cooney to draft a solar (photovoltaic power station) ordinance; staff will forward relevant zoning and comprehensive plan documents to the firm and schedule follow-up.
Kossuth County supervisors unanimously approved an engagement letter with the law firm Ahlers & Cooney to draft a county ordinance addressing large photovoltaic projects.
The county auditor said she had been in contact with a lawyer at Ahlers & Cooney and forwarded requested materials — current zoning ordinance language, any draft ordinance language, the county comprehensive plan and the board’s objectives — so the firm could begin work. "She asked for current zoning ordinance applicable to solar array projects, photovoltaic power stations, any current draft of new proposed ordinance linked to the current zoning code, current comprehensive plan, and board's primary goals and objectives for the new ordinance," the auditor reported.
Why it matters: A county-level solar ordinance would define how large solar arrays (photovoltaic power stations) are sited and regulated within the county’s zoning framework. Supervisors said they wanted planning and zoning staff to be involved and asked that department heads be kept informed as the firm develops questions and draft language.
Board action and vote: Supervisor Stecker moved to approve the engagement letter; Wachter seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Details and next steps: The auditor said Ahlers & Cooney will contact county staff to schedule a time to discuss the draft ordinance and any follow-up questions. The engagement letter contains standard lawyer-client language that the firm retains the work product, the auditor said; supervisors indicated they expected the firm to draw on prior county experience but noted the engagement letter’s standard ownership language. The county will work with planning and zoning (Doug and Corey were copied on related emails) to supply supplemental materials and participate in follow-up meetings with firm attorneys.
Ending: With the engagement letter approved, the county expects the firm to begin outreach and data collection and to return with a timeline and draft ordinance language for board consideration.
