Todd County discusses jail roof and solar project; record does not show a clear approval

County officials received a presentation on a proposed jail roof replacement that would accommodate solar panels and heard financing details, but the recorded meeting does not show a definitive vote to award or proceed with a contract.

Presiding Official (Speaker 1) introduced an Ascendant Group proposal for a new jail roof and solar panels. A project representative (Speaker 2) summarized the scope, explained there were two options — a local contractor option and a coating option that could include an adjacent building — and said both options include 20-year warranties that match the panels’ expected lifetime.

Why it matters: Replacing the jail roof and adding solar panels would be a capital project with a multi-year payback that affects facilities maintenance budgets and utility cost projections. The court discussed potential investment tax credits and rebates that could reduce net cost.

Key points from the presentation

- Scope and options: Speaker 2 described two approaches to the roof work and emphasized warranty parity with the solar panels. 'Everything's really stayed the same as from the last presentation,' Speaker 2 said; 'we've got two good options... they come with a 20 year warranty, which matches the solar panels.'

- Financing and incentives: Speaker 2 noted the county would receive an investment tax credit and said, as spoken in the meeting, 'you're gonna get that investment tax credit of about I think it's $1.40, somewhere right in that range, and that comes right directly back to the county.' The presiding official and staff also noted expected utility savings and possible rebates.

Motion and outcome

A motion to move forward with the project was made and seconded. The transcript records competing audible responses (including a 'No' from one speaker) after the call for a vote; it does not record a clear tally or formal approval. As a result, the project’s status is unresolved in the transcript and requires a clarifying record from county minutes or staff to determine whether the court approved proceeding or deferred the decision.

Quote

'This is your project. We're just here to facilitate it,' Speaker 2 said while reviewing options.

What happens next

Because the meeting record does not show a definitive vote, county staff should provide minutes or a written summary clarifying whether the court approved moving forward, and, if approved, the selected option, contract vendor and funding source.