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Commissioners approve $120,000‑capped reimbursement pact with Teays River Wind Farm over Lancaster’s dissent
Summary
The board approved a reimbursement agreement allowing the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation to be reimbursed up to $120,000 for project costs tied to Teays River Wind Farm, LLC; the measure passed 2–1 after public requests for clarification and statements threatening legal action were raised during public comment.
The Blackford County Board of Commissioners approved a reimbursement agreement with Teays River Wind Farm, LLC that caps reimbursements to the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation at $120,000. BCEDC Director Warren Brown and presenter Chris Boyles described the agreement as "at no cost to the county," and Commissioner Dan Borgenheimer moved to accept the agreement; the motion passed 2–1 with President John Lancaster voting no.
During the public-comment period, resident Deb Grider requested "clarity for the Teay's River Reimbursement Agreement," saying clarity was needed before local entities could enter negotiations. Eddie Cansler told the board he had received no response to a Notice and Affidavit about wind and solar projects and stated lawsuits "will be made against each servant." Tim Schortgen asked for a public response within 10 business days to his Notice and Point of Clarity. The meeting record does not show a response from the Commissioners to those requests at the time of adjournment.
The minutes show the motion to accept the reimbursement agreement was made by Commissioner Dan Borgenheimer and seconded by Commissioner Laura Coons. Vote record: John Lancaster — nay; Dan Borgenheimer — yes; Laura Coons — yes. The agreement is described in the meeting as structured to reimburse the county's economic development corporation for project costs; the record does not include the agreement's full language or implementation details. BCEDC Director Warren Brown indicated acceptance would allow the BCEDC to go into negotiations with Teays River's Economic Development Authority, but the public comments indicate some residents want clearer public documentation before negotiations proceed.
The record does not reference a formal legal opinion or additional written clarifications provided at the meeting; Attorney Forcum was referenced later in the meeting on land-transfer work for a separate infrastructure item but not specifically on the Teays River agreement.
