Pawnee County approves IRB authorization and two PILOTs for Tenaska project

Pawnee County commissioners on April 6 approved a resolution declaring the county’s intent to issue Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) in a principal amount not to exceed $600,000,000 to support a commercial project associated with Tenaska. The motion to adopt Resolution 2026-R-006 carried on a 3-0 vote.

County Attorney Doug McNett explained the structure and statutory basis for the bonds, citing Statute 12-1741b, and told the board that, under the agreements presented, "either project will only pay $3,500, on the first 50 megawatts." Commissioners also approved Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements for Kinsley Solar, LLC and Kinsley Storage Project LLC, each approved 3-0, and Mike Roth of Tenaska signed the updated PILOT documents during the meeting.

McNett said the county assumes no risk with the IRBs and that the IRBs are intended for the project financing rather than for purchasing land. Commissioners discussed potential use of Industrial Revenue Bonds in the event state legislation changed abatement timelines, and Roth noted the developer is accounting for tax variations across counties when modeling project costs. Roth also pointed out a minutes discrepancy from March 9, 2026: the earlier minutes reflected approval only of the Conditional Use Permit for Kinsley Solar, but Tenaska representatives said the intent was to include both Kinsley Solar and Kinsley Storage Project approvals as part of the broader project.

The board took the actions described above during its regular session after a Board of Health recess; all motions concerning the IRBs and the two PILOT agreements passed unanimously, recorded as 3-0 votes.