Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press county on solar projects: fire-safety, training and school-funding ties to future tax revenue
Summary
Residents raised alarms about recent regional solar-panel fires and asked whether local emergency services are preparing; commissioners said the county issued a moratorium and is working with a committee and fire department training; commissioners confirmed a previously promised $200,000 to Uniontown schools depends on future solar tax receipts and is not guaranteed.
FORT SCOTT — Concerns about large-scale solar projects, fire safety and the local budgetary promises tied to anticipated solar tax revenue dominated part of the public-comment period at the Bourbon County Commission’s July 8 meeting.
A resident who identified himself as Pete cited recent regional solar-panel fires in Olathe and Lee's Summit and asked whether the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has cleared panel installations as safe. “Can you get some paperwork from KDHE that says this is all safe?” Pete asked. He said two 75-foot installations were planned close to his home and repeatedly urged the commission to take stronger action.
Commissioners replied there are no installed utility-scale arrays yet in the county and said a moratorium and committee process are in place to review solar proposals and industrial setbacks. Speaker 1 said he has spoken with Fort Scott fire chief Dave Brunner, who is “reviewing training on solar panel” response for local fire departments.
Separately, Kyle Parks asked how a prior pledge of roughly $200,000 over four years to the Uniontown School District is tied to solar-tax receipts. Commissioners confirmed the school payment was contingent on anticipated tax revenue from a solar project expected to start delivering funds in October 2025. “So if no money's coming in, they don't get [the payment],” a commissioner said.
County staff and commissioners encouraged residents to submit questions in writing to the solar/industrial-setback committee ahead of committee meetings; the clerk will distribute questions to committee members. No new countywide emergency-funding commitments or regulatory actions were adopted at the meeting; commissioners said they will continue committee work and coordination with fire departments and other agencies.
Public commenters urged ongoing transparency and documentation of emergency plans; commissioners and staff said training and planning are under review but did not provide final written plans at the meeting.
