York County residents press commissioners on OPD solar plan, raising concerns about setbacks, farmland and school revenues

Dozens of York County landowners and community representatives pressed county commissioners on March 5 about a proposed OPD solar development often discussed as the "K Junction" project, citing setbacks, farmland loss, tax revenue implications and construction impacts.

Residents filled nearly the entire public-comment period to raise technical and practical concerns. David Begley, an Omaha attorney, urged the board to hold OPD to what he described as its statutory duties and called the utility "completely off the tracks" on scope and siting. "You have the opportunity to hold their feet to the fire and keep them in line with what they're supposed to do," Begley said.

Several speakers questioned where panels and components are sourced, who will do the work and whether local roads can handle construction traffic. Ray White asked about procurement, supply chains and road impacts during construction, and urged the county to seek specifics on contractors and traffic loads. "What's the impact of the transportation in and around during the construction of this project?" he asked.

Others focused on agricultural loss and long-term community effects. Brian Silkup supported a proposed half-mile setback, saying it would prevent York County from being "opened up" to multiple large installations and protect the county's agricultural character. "Without the half-mile setbacks, we feel that York County will be opened up to more than just the K Junction solar project," Silkup said.

Speakers also raised concerns about panel performance during prolonged cloudy or winter periods, decommissioning and recycling rates, and whether temporary construction jobs yield lasting local benefit. Roger Morris pointed to multi-day outages at other solar sites during storms and questioned the wisdom of converting prime farmland. "We don't need 2,800 acres of prime farm ground to feed the world taken for that," Morris said.

A number of residents pressed the board about school tax revenue if leasable land is owned by or transferred to a public entity. Patty Miner asked whether school districts would lose property-tax revenue if a project became owned by a public entity and whether the county could pin down figures for lost revenue. "How is this going to affect the revenue for the schools? Is there a guarantee that there will actually be revenue?" she asked.

Supporters made a narrower case for workforce and training ties. Chuck Buyer, representing Southeast Community College, said local training and the college's learning center can help bring jobs and workforce development to York County and the broader 15-county service area.

The public-comment period ended without a formal vote on zoning. Javier Fernandez, who identified himself at the start of the OPD portion as "president and CEO of OPD," later addressed the board and residents and said he looked forward to discussing pending zoning regulations and hearing concerns.

What happens next: Commissioners heard the comments and later continued with their agenda; the transcript shows OPD's president introduced himself to begin discussion but does not record the board's final determination on zoning or setbacks in this meeting.