Rock County approves applications for state grants covering fairground grandstand and park shelter; jail solar proposal defeated

The Rock County Board of Supervisors on Thursday approved a resolution directing county administration to apply to the stategrants for local projects program for funding to help pay for the fairground grandstand reconstruction and a park shelter. The board rejected a separate amendment to add a proposed Rock County Jail solar project after extended debate and questions about safety, roof condition and long-term maintenance.

The resolution, as amended, directs the county administrator to submit grant applications for the fairground grandstand and the park shelter. The board voted 16-9 to approve the amended resolution; an amendment to add the jail solar project failed 9-16 on a roll-call vote.

Supporters of including a solar project argued the county could take advantage of a narrow window of federal tax incentives that would materially shorten the payback period on a…