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Lincoln County approves $79,680 HDR feasibility study; board to use PILT funds
Summary
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved a $79,680 feasibility contract with HDR to study biomass and co-generation options and authorized initial payments from PILT, with the consultant saying grant-writing work can begin immediately.
Lincoln County commissioners voted on Nov. 19 to enter an agreement with HDR for a feasibility study of biomass and co-generation options, approving a not-to-exceed threshold of $79,680 and directing initial payments to be coded to Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT).
The study covers the first stages of project evaluation and is structured on a time-and-materials billing basis, HDR said. The consultant indicated the firm includes senior grant writers and has already discussed preliminary funding opportunities with local partners and the port authority, and that grant application work could run in parallel with technical study tasks.
Why this matters: County officials said the feasibility work could create intellectual property for Lincoln County and help attract private investors to develop energy or carbon-capture projects if the study shows feasibility. Commissioners framed the contract as a first step to position the county for outside funding and investment.
Details and procedure: The board discussed payment mechanics and the consultant confirmed the firm would not exceed the stated dollar threshold without further board approval. HDR explained the proposal was intended to be comprehensive and holistic rather than split into immediate subprojects, though grant writing could be accelerated if the county requests it. The consultant named the Climate Smart Communities Initiative as one grant avenue already identified.
The board moved and seconded the contract approval and recorded an opposed vote before adopting the motion.
“$79,680,” Zach, the HDR consultant, said for the record when asked to state the contract threshold. The meeting record shows the board directed staff to code initial payments to PILT and to return for amendments if additional funding is later required.
Next steps: HDR will begin work according to the contract billing stages and county staff will pursue identified grant opportunities in parallel, with the intent of leveraging grant awards and investor interest to offset county costs.
