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Lee County approves inducement resolutions to begin negotiations for large solar and battery projects
Summary
The commission adopted inducement resolutions to begin negotiations for industrial revenue bond (IRB) incentives for a Stellar‑proposed solar generation project (inducement up to $672 million) and a related battery energy storage system (approx. $5 million). Staff said the resolutions start PILT and public‑notice processes; formal IRB ordinances and public hearings will follow.
The Lee County Commission voted to adopt inducement resolutions that allow county staff to negotiate terms with Stellar Renewable and related entities for a large solar generation project on Gaynor property and a co‑located battery energy storage system.
County staff explained an inducement resolution is an initial step in the industrial revenue bond (IRB) process: it does not commit the county to issue bonds but allows the county and developer to negotiate terms in good faith, prepare required statutory notices and coordinate with taxing jurisdictions about a potential payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILT) arrangement. The staff presentation said the solar inducement is for an aggregate potential IRB principal of up to $672,000,000 connected to the proposed generation project; a separate inducement for a storage facility was described at about $5,000,000.
Stellar counsel and representatives answered questions about traffic and permanent jobs: construction traffic would be significant only during the building phase, and long‑term on‑site staffing was described as limited because remote monitoring is expected; Stellar suggested 5–10 local technicians might be employed for operations and maintenance. The landowner, Mr. Gaynor, introduced himself and said Stellar had honored commitments in earlier interactions.
If the inducement resolutions proceed, staff said the next steps include statutory 30‑day notice to taxing jurisdictions, preparing IRB ordinances for consideration and a public hearing; the board could see ordinances in 2025–26 depending on negotiations.
What’s next: staff will coordinate notices to affected taxing jurisdictions, begin PILT discussions and bring any proposed IRB ordinance back to the commission for public hearing and vote.
