The Peoria County Board heard public comments opposing a proposed carbon dioxide injection project, approved two zoning cases and food-safety ordinance revisions, and adopted the 2026 tax levy and FY 2027 budget. The budget vote included a $75,000 amendment for small-business microgrants and support for the Smart Start Navigator program.
Discussion Points
•A member called for property-tax relief and said EAV had increased 39% in six years.
•Members debated the difference between a flat tax rate and expected higher property-tax bills due to increased EAV.
•Members disagreed about whether a flat rate should be described as no tax increase when rising EAV would increase county tax revenue and bills.
•Members sought more evidence and regular updates on outcomes of the microgrant program.
•The amendment was described as aligning fee-structure language after an inconsistency was identified in another section.
•The applicant sought consistent zoning to adjust property boundaries and improve access before constructing a future house.
•The budget included nearly $30 million for 78 capital projects and jail planning.
•The budget presentation described a balanced budget of more than $183 million across all funds and about $67 million in the general fund.
•The chair cited prior negative levies and the county’s historical rate; the county administrator distinguished the county share from the full property-tax bill.
•The five-acre portion was described as not currently farmed; a test well produced 3.75 gallons per minute.
•The proposed split did not meet the agricultural district’s 25-acre minimum lot size or one dwelling unit per 25 contiguous acres density requirement.
•Three public commenters raised concerns and requested a moratorium and county rules for carbon sequestration activities.
Decisions
•Approved 16-0.
•The 2026 Tax Levy Ordinance passed 13-3.
•The $75,000 budget amendment passed with 15 ayes.
•The amendment passed 16-0.
•The FY 2027 budget passed 13-2.
•The ordinance revisions as amended passed 16-0.
•The special-use request was approved with 16 ayes.
Peoria County Land Use Committee heard three hours of public comment and competing testimony on the Four Creeks (Repsol) 113-turbine wind project and recommended approval with extensive conditions after a lengthy staff presentation and debate.
Discussion Points
•ADLS is subject to FAA approval; the county requires the company to apply to the FAA.
•Curtailment and shadow-flicker reporting to the county every six months is required for non-participating residences.
•Lengthy public-comment period included 41 signups and roughly three hours of public testimony.
•Multiple residents reported personal and livelihood impacts including livestock stress, risk to small-aircraft operations and property-value loss.
•Opponents argued the application lacked required technical studies and cited the ZBA's denial; proponents highlighted economic and educational benefits.
•Opponents urged stricter, enforceable mitigation such as schedule-based curtailment instead of sensor-dependent systems.
•Post-construction sound study thresholds and enforcement timelines were detailed.
•Staff presented an extensive conditions package intended to mitigate identified impacts.
•Supporters quantified anticipated school and local tax receipts and emphasized privately funded infrastructure improvements.
•Union and business representatives highlighted temporary construction payroll and local spending as community benefits.
Decisions
•Recommend approval with conditions (advisory).
Directions
•Forward recommendation to full county board for final action.
•Post-construction studies required prior to full commercial operations; county may require removal of turbines that cannot meet limits.
•Require post-construction studies and financial assurance as preconditions for building permits.
Peoria County Board approved a special-use permit for the Four Creeks (Repsol) wind project after extensive public comment and 15 days of ZBA hearings; the board voted 12–5 to approve the project with a package of 36 conditions including post-construction sound monitoring, FAA approvals, decommissioning financial assurance, and curtailment rules for shadow flicker.
Discussion Points
•Board members split along lines of local-neighbor concerns vs. countywide benefits; several members said the conditions gave them confidence to approve.
•Board relied on those conditions to approve the permit while acknowledging unresolved community concerns.
•Opponents asked the board to honor the ZBA denial recommendation and questioned whether conditions cure application deficiencies.
•Opposition attorneys and residents argued the ZBA found the application failed mandatory findings and the application lacked FAA approval, sound and wildlife reports.
•Proponents cited apprenticeship training, road upgrades and school tax receipts as project benefits.
•Residents highlighted proximity of turbines (within a mile), predicted nightly lights, and claims of property-value losses.
•Speakers claimed the project would deliver significant local revenue that outweighs disamenities in their view.
•Staff emphasized that many technical items were in the record while noting some items were resolved with conditions.
•Staff read a 36-point conditions package addressing construction timeframes, monitoring, FAA clearance, decommissioning and emergency reimbursement.
•Supporters argued for local economic benefits, school funding and precedent in neighboring counties.
•ZBA recommended denial based on its findings after 15 hearing days; county board reviewed the record and attached conditions rather than deny.
Decisions
•Approval with conditions (12–5).
•Special use permit approved with 36 conditions (vote 12–5).
Directions
•Company to provide post-construction sound studies and ongoing five-year sound monitoring reports.
•County staff to require FAA determinations, well-drawdown studies and recorded decommissioning financial assurances prior to building permits.
•Staff to enforce conditions and present reports as required; company to provide required studies and financial assurances prior to building permits.
What's in the FY 2027 Peoria County Budget? Here's a snapshot
Staff announced the Peoria County Board will vote on a balanced $183,000,000 budget at its November 12 meeting and noted a committee recommendation to hold the county property tax rate steady.
Discussion Points
•Committee noted capital projects, including jail master plan phase one (kitchen and laundry).
•Committee reviewed tax-rate implications while discussing the recommended budget.
•Committee reviewed the proposed spending plan and capital projects including jail master plan components.
•County share of property tax was stated as around 10% and used to describe funding priorities.
Decisions
•Recommendation to hold the rate steady (committee-level).
Directions
•Board scheduled a vote on the recommended budget for Nov. 12.
•Listeners directed to county YouTube and website for full materials.
The Peoria County health committee received updates on the new Peoria Transfer Station and Landfill 3, heard enrollment and rate guarantees for unincorporated residents' trash service, and approved the proposed 2027 budgets for multiple county departments.
Discussion Points
•A $44.12 monthly rate is guaranteed for residents not under municipal contracts.
•Committee approved proposed 2027 budgets for multiple entities.
•Enrollment for county pickup exceeds 1,500 unincorporated residents.
•GFL Environmental provided an update on the transfer station and Landfill 3 progress.
•No vote tallies or movers/seconds were recorded in the transcript.
•The transfer station opened in June and is handling about 600 tons/day as of end of September.
•The transfer station will serve county needs until Landfill 3 is built.
Decisions
•Approved 2027 budgets for the listed departments (vote details not specified).
Peoria County infrastructure committee reviewed elements of the proposed $183,000,000 county budget and approved courthouse remodeling bids while discussing road, bridge, jail and facility upgrades.
Discussion Points
•Overview of proposed $183,000,000 budget and referenced project categories.
Peoria County Health Committee met to approve minutes, hear informational reports (Board of Health, EMA, Regional Office of Education, sustainability), receive a detailed report from GFL on the new transfer station, review revisions to the county food-safety ordinance, and consider five budget items that were approved unanimously.
Discussion Points
•An RFP for rooftop solar at HHS is on the street; interconnection timing may delay online operation to ~2028.
•Asbestos and demolition work for Hannah City will be procured by bid; much work will roll into next year.
•CareerSpark and extremist-violence summit described; both are outreach/training events.
Peoria County Public Safety & Justice Committee Regular & Budget
This Peoria County Public Safety & Justice Committee meeting covered a sheriff update on a high-cost guarded murder suspect, the committee's FY27 recommended public-safety budget, coroner's revenue gains from in-house autopsy services, a $5,000 grant appropriation for the Family Violence Coordinating Council, PCAPs adoption fee waiver events, and public remarks about organ-donation recognition and an All Souls Day burial for unclaimed cremains.
Discussion Points
•Announcement of All Souls Day mass burial for unclaimed cremains at St. Mary's Cemetery on Nov. 2 with procession departing health department campus at 9:45 a.m.
•Announcement of Gift of Hope recognition at Jump Trading Center (event time 5 PM) and invitation to board/public.
•Confirmation that records at Gift Avenue site have been scanned and cleared.
•Description of the 0.5 FTE role funded by the grant and the types of abuse the program addresses.
•FY27 recommended budget totals and committee-specific revenue/expenditure figures; sources and uses; personnel as main expense.
•High-cost guarded custody of a severely injured murder suspect; two officers assigned 24/7 since Sept. 28; estimate of about $194,000 in staffing costs.
•Minor reductions in intergovernmental revenues vs. FY26 revised; FTE levels maintained near 438.
•Need for additional $5,000 in both revenue and expenses to cover under-projected grant spending; grant is state fiscal-year and reimbursed.
•Office is at ~88% of out-of-county revenue budget year-to-date; plans to add autopsy technician next year with revenue offsets.
•Other agencies and private contractors declined to take the assignment; hospital billing likely to be pursued against the inmate/Medicaid; county staff will push back to avoid taxpayer expense.
•PCAPs final D Wave adoption week; adoption fees waived due to an ASPCA grant; program ending at month\u0002end.
•Revenue from out-of-county autopsy services has increased substantially (from ~$200k to nearly $750k).
Decisions
•Appropriation approved unanimously by the committee.
•Committee approved budget items bundled together by vote.
•Informational announcements; no committee action.
•Informational update; no committee action.
•No formal action recorded; informational update and positive acknowledgment by committee.
Peoria County Operations Committee approved a $99,000 contract with EagleView for a 2027 countywide aerial flight, reviewed the operations portion of the FY2027 budget (general fund balanced at $67.1M), approved the FY2027 authorized staffing counts with a net -0.03 FTE, and approved a workers' compensation settlement. The committee also agreed to create a dedicated GIS fund with sizable initial reserves.
Discussion Points
•2-inch imagery provides greater detail for assessor and public works
•County Operations revenues rise to $30.2M, expenditures just under $33M
•Detailed FTE moves include transfers into facilities and IT/GIS and a 0.6 reduction for plumbing inspector
•General fund balanced at $67.1M; all funds at $183M
•GIS moved to new special revenue fund
•LIDAR/topography is distinct and costly, may use state LIDAR as alternative
Peoria County Joint Executive and Finance Audit & Legislative Affairs Committee Regular & Budget
Peoria County joint Finance, Audit & Legislative Affairs and Executive Committee meeting on the FY27 recommended budget, tax levy and several budget amendments; board members debated a proposal to return $2.1 million to taxpayers and discussed microgrant funding and capital projects including jail planning.
Discussion Points
•Background: contract contingent on Connect Illinois grants did not proceed; funds were transferred to GPEDC and returned.
•Committee votes recorded for ARPA reappropriation, transfer authorization, bond abatements, levy and appropriation ordinance.
•Members argued about fairness to taxpayers vs. the county's need to fund capital projects and maintain reserves.
•Members requested evidence of success rates and platform usage.
•Proposed use: courthouse plaza reconstruction and remainder to circuit-court remodel.
•Purpose and structure of the microgrant program (10 grants x $5,000, plus digital platform subscription).
•Ricker presented three options to return revenue: one-time rebate (not permitted by county rules), an abatement after levy, or adjusting the general-fund levy.
•Some amendments were defeated or withdrawn.
•Staff presented FY27 revenue and expenditure projections, staffing and capital priorities.
•Staff recommended using reserves for preconstruction work on jail master plan and other capital projects.
Decisions
•Committee approved forwarding the budget package to the full board.
•Committee approved the package of resolutions and forwarded the budget.
•Committee approved the reappropriation resolution.
Peoria County Ways and Means Committee met Oct. 26, 2026, heard departmental reports (clerk, elections, assessments, treasurer, veterans assistance), received a budget presentation setting the general fund at $61,100,000 and advanced committee action and resolutions by unanimous votes.
Discussion Points
•0.34 FTE increase is a correction, not a new employee; software purchase deferred.
•A 0.34 FTE increase is a correction, not a new hire.
•All votes announced as unanimous by the chair.
•Approval of minutes and motion to place resolution packets on the floor.
•Approximately 500 appeals scheduled for board review; hearings starting in early November in Springfield.
•Budget presenter summarized revenues and expenditures and noted personnel as largest driver.
•Delinquent mail letters sent and notices posted in newspaper; heavy public call volume reported.
•Exemption renewals due Oct. 31; reminder postcards planned for mid-November.
•High client volumes (~500 per month) and ongoing appeals backlog (>500).
•Office to move into remodeled ground-floor space on Nov. 12.
•Presenter described an aggregate figure for new lump-sum payments as $13,400,000 (transcript phrasing).
•Sources increased roughly $300,000 and uses increased roughly $175,000 year over year.
The Peoria County Land Use Committee met to approve minutes, note informational items, hear a strategic plan update (the county'wide comprehensive plan adopted by the County Board), consider two zoning petitions (a rezoning request by Lot Farms LLC and a special-use petition by Michael P. Cochran), and review the Land Use Committee budget. All motions on the agenda passed unanimously; there were no public comments.
Discussion Points
•No committee questions were recorded.
•Presenter explained rezoning of 4.75 acres to allow boundary changes and a future building site.
•Presenter explained the special-use requirement and described the proposed 5-acre division and demolition of dilapidated buildings.
•Presenter reported the comprehensive-plan update and that the County Board adopted it in September.
•Several items were put on the floor and approved without recorded dissent.
•Staff summarized revenues/expenditures and staffing; noted use of outside plumbing services due to recruitment difficulties.
Decisions
•All recorded motions passed unanimously.
•Land Use Committee budget approved unanimously
•Materials filed and received; no further committee action recorded
•Rezoning approved unanimously
•Special use approved unanimously
Directions
•Staff to continue recruitment for part-time plumbing inspector and return if FTE restoration is requested.
Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals heard closing arguments and public comments on the 4 Creeks (Repsol) wind project on Oct. 14, 2026. The applicant defended setbacks, sound and wildlife mitigation and promised post-construction monitoring; opponents including 34 landowners argued the application was incomplete and urged denial citing shadow flicker, noise, wildlife and safety concerns.
Discussion Points
•Applicant asserts compliance with state and county sound and setback requirements.
•Applicant commits to post‑construction sound studies, curtailment plans and 100% financial security at permit stage.
•Applicant described ANSI‑based modeling and offered post‑construction verification and curtailment commitments.
•Applicant states DNH/FAA and other federal approvals are prerequisites to building permits.
•A small number of commenters supported the project for climate and school tax revenue benefits.
•Counsel also raised concerns about missing or uneven video/transcript coverage and the absence of a previously engaged board member.
•Opposition alleges applicant failed to include required studies (shadow flicker, IPCB noise, FAA DNHs, wildlife avoidance, decommissioning, road agreements).
•Opposition argued modeling inputs were altered, that tables focused on structures not property lines, and that curtailment is not a substitute for compliant design.
•Opposition says applicant's models show multiple non‑participating properties exceed limits and that curtailment is not a substitute for compliant design.
•Recusal motion filed to prohibit Chairman Schmidt from voting based on alleged pre‑hearing statements and union ties; judge referred matter to ZBA.
•Residents reported bats on private property, poor cell/Internet service, fear of diminished property values and health/sleep impacts.
Decisions
•Matter referred to ZBA; no ruling recorded in the transcript excerpt.
•No enforcement conditions finalized in hearing; ZBA deliberation expected to consider enforceability.
•No formal board action recorded; comments entered into record for ZBA deliberation.
•No formal decision recorded in transcript; matter continues to the ZBA deliberation.
•No formal vote recorded in transcript; referral of fairness motion to ZBA noted earlier.
Directions
•Applicant to provide detailed turbine selection and final sound re‑runs at building permit stage (applicant offer).
•ZBA to consider the recusal motion and procedural fairness issues during deliberations.
The Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals completed deliberations on 4 Creeks LLC's special use permit for a commercial wind energy facility, approving findings of fact but voting to recommend denial to the County Board; the ZBA also prepared conditions for the County Board to consider if it approves the project.
Discussion Points
•Board found mixed results across the seven LaSalle/Claire factors; members debated which factors should be weighted more heavily.
•Board members debated worst‑case modeling assumptions, weather deductions, and whether maps were sufficiently detailed.
•Board members said sound mapping lacked sufficient parcel‑level detail and that receptor vs. parcel distinctions affected compliance demonstration.
•Counsel advised curtailment may not be treated as a planned operating condition under the statute; no case law clarifies the issue.
•Counsel reiterated the legal standard and petitioner burden during recommendation deliberations.
•Counsel reminded the board that failure to demonstrate ordinance requirements (e.g., sound) typically supports denial.
•Counsel reminded the board the ordinance requires a qualified professional to demonstrate noise compliance, and the petitioner bears the burden.
•Formal motions and roll calls followed the board's balancing discussion of the LaSalle/Claire factors.
•Members agreed to forward recommended conditions to the County Board even though the ZBA recommended denial.
•Members debated ADLS penalty language and recommended a cap on per‑turbine per‑day fines to avoid excessive aggregate penalties.
•Staff and advocates noted the applicant provided tables and testimony; opponents said maps did not align with the tables.
•Staff read recommended restrictions including timing, access, sound mitigation, shadow‑flicker reporting, wells, decommissioning, and wildlife protections.
•Staff reported modeling showed 64 non‑participating residences and one community building exceeding the 30‑hour limit, with one location modeled over 100 hours.
Decisions
•Findings approved; recommendation to deny forwarded to County Board; approval‑with‑conditions motion failed 2‑4.
•The ZBA recorded that the petitioner failed to satisfy the ordinance sound‑modeling submission requirement.
•ZBA approved findings of fact; motion to recommend approval subject to conditions failed 2‑4; motion to recommend denial passed.
•ZBA approved forwarding the recommended conditions of approval to the County Board for its consideration.
•ZBA recorded a finding that the petitioner satisfied statutory and ordinance shadow‑flicker submittal requirements.
Directions
•Consider capping ADLS fines to a project‑level maximum to maintain enforceability.
•Findings and recommended conditions to be posted on county webpage and forwarded to County Board for anticipated November meeting.
•Forward recommended conditions to County Board and post them to peoriacounty.org/wind.
•Include shadow‑flicker and curtailment reporting in recommended conditions for County Board review.
•Require post‑construction reporting on shadow‑flicker and curtailment data if project advances.
•Staff recommended post‑construction sound studies every five years and in‑person presentation to County Board if the project moves forward.
•Staff to post findings and conditions online and prepare the County Board packet.
You Can't Trust Everybody, But You Can Trust the Peoria County Board Recap
Staff presented a recap: the Peoria County Board approved standardized intergovernmental agreements for the Juvenile Detention Center that set the detention rate at $300 per day; accepted a $30,000 bequest for Peoria County Animal Protection Services capital improvements; and approved circuit clerk fee changes to comply with new state laws; video available on county YouTube.
Discussion Points
•Board accepted a $30,000 bequest to fund capital improvements for Peoria County Animal Protection Services.
•Board approved standardized IGA for JDC to set uniform terms for counties using bed space.
•Changes were made to circuit clerk fees to comply with unspecified state laws and to fund the Office of State Guardian.
Decisions
•Accept bequest.
•Approve fee changes.
•Approve standardized intergovernmental agreements and set detention rate at $300/day.
Zoning Board of Appeals 9/30/26 - Session 3 Part 2 Recording
Hearing on the proposed 4 Creeks Wind Project in Peoria/Stark County featuring testimony from landowners, farmers and the Stark County schools superintendent about local tax benefits, state aid impacts, lease terms and project impacts; the board admitted exhibits and paused for objections and public comment scheduling (date not specified).
Discussion Points
•Elliott said local tax revenue could fund staff and transportation amid declining state reimbursements.
•Farmers argued turbines diversify income and aid family succession.
•Landowners say lease income will help hold family farms and provide tax revenue to schools.
•No legal determination on enforceability was made in the hearing excerpt.
•Objections were raised to sound-report addenda and the board deferred rulings.
•Opposing counsel cited a 4 Creeks estimate of lower revenue by year 18, creating a contested fiscal projection.
•Opposing counsel read a lease clause limiting public criticism; DuBois acknowledged understanding.
•Project counsel enumerated exhibits 10–22 including technical reports and slide decks.
•Witnesses and counsel debated the size and persistence of tax revenue and state-aid interactions.
•Witnesses reported earlier projects did not prevent aerial spraying by applicators.
Directions
•Board will review exhibits and hear objections after a brief break.
Zoning Board of Appeals 9/30/26 - Session 3 Part 3 Recording
A Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on the 4 Creeks (wind) project focused on admissibility of several expert exhibits, public comment both for and against the project (economic and environmental claims), and scheduling for continued testimony at the courthouse.
Discussion Points
•Applicant counsel argued the addenda and slide decks were relevant evidence and not an amendment request.
•Hearing will resume at 09:30 in Room 403 of the Peoria County Courthouse.
•How foundation would be established for slide decks and exhibits presented close to the hearing date.
•Judge Shore said timing alone did not disqualify evidence and required foundation where missing.
•Objector argued exhibits 10–22 were not part of original application and should be excluded.
•She reported a petition of over 2,200 signatures asking the ZBA to deny the permit.
•Simpson claimed turbines would kill migrating and resident birds and bats and would not meet pollution-control standards without a curtailment plan.
•Supporter acknowledged local concerns and emphasized enforceable permitting standards.
•Supporter argued for tax and job benefits of the 4 Creeks Project.
•Unrepresented objectors will be given an opportunity to present on Friday if schedule permits.
•Whether addenda and slide decks were demonstrative or substantive evidence.
Decisions
•Location and schedule set; hearing recessed until next session.
•Objections on timing denied; foundation required where missing; exhibits admitted.
•Objections overruled; exhibits 10–22 admitted into evidence.
Directions
•Clerk to ensure signage and public-access guidance for courthouse entry.
•Counsel to provide witness lists and supporting data in advance where possible; establish foundation at hearing.
•Counsel to share witness lists and supporting material; establish foundation for slide decks where necessary.
Zoning Board of Appeals 10/1/26 - Session 2 Recording
A Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing reviewed an economic-impact report for the proposed 4 Creeks wind project. Attorneys and board members questioned the report's assumptions on local hiring, tax revenues and what the IMPLAN model does and does not capture; members of the public raised concerns about who benefits.
Discussion Points
•How missing county-level wage data were imputed or supplemented from broader-area BLS tables.
•How taxes are collected and distributed to taxing districts.
•How the model counts traveling versus local workers.
•IMPLAN did not model migration or property-value impacts.
•IMPLAN requires user inputs to test migration/out-migration scenarios.
•Projected tax receipts decline over time under the statutory regime; downstream effects on school revenue depend on state-aid rules and possible future statutes.
•The valuation of turbines currently relies on a statute that was discussed as scheduled to sunset in 2035.
•Whether construction workers will be Peoria County residents and how union membership affects worker sourcing.
•Whether hotel/meal spending for out-of-area workers should be included in local economic estimates.
•Whether residents living near turbines will see direct tax reductions or benefits.
•Whether the model treats traveling construction crews and local hires differently for induced impacts.
Zoning Board of Appeals 10/1/26 - Session 3 Recording
Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals set a multi-day hearing schedule for the 4 Creeks Wind Project, received expert testimony and tax-impact analyses, admitted three exhibits into evidence over objections, and heard public comments from nearby residents and farmers raising quality-of-life and agricultural concerns.
Discussion Points
•Admission of exhibits into the record
•Concerns about loss of productive acreage and rural character
•District-level dollar estimates for school, fire, and library districts
•Methodology verification using county tax records
•Model outputs showing year‑18 minima then rising revenues
•Multi‑day evidentiary schedule for 4 Creeks Wind Project
•Potential well contamination, noise, lights, vibration
•Proximity of turbines to private residences
•Rules for public testimony and cross‑examination
•Turbine placement and obstruction to farm operations
•Venue and logistics for Oct. 14 deliberation
•Whether economic impact evidence is within ZBA’s scope
•Wildlife and ecosystem concerns
Decisions
•Exhibits 23–25 admitted over objection
•Exhibits admitted for deliberations despite scope objections
•Proceed with hearings at Peoria County Downtown Courthouse starting at 09:30 next day; deliberation room reserved for Oct. 14
Directions
•Staff to make sign‑up sheets available and accept advance submissions at [email protected]
•Staff to secure courthouse rooms and confirm partition removal for Oct. 14
Zoning Board of Appeals 10/1/26 - Session 1 Recording
The Peoria County Zoning Board of Appeals heard expert economic and tax testimony from Dr. David Loomis about the 4 Creeks wind project. Counsel objected to the relevance of the testimony but the presiding officer allowed it; cross-examination probed assumptions, company ties and model inputs. The board recessed for 10 minutes after extended questioning.
Discussion Points
•Counsel argued FTE counts differ from headcount at a given time and that longer construction schedules reduce observed on‑site workers; expert explained FTE conventions.
•Counsel elicited that Loomis charges $600 per hour and that SER has produced many energy‑sector studies; presiding officer sustained some objections related to relevance.
•Counsel questioned past roles at ISU, affiliation with the Illinois Wind Working Group, and whether Loomis consistently works for energy-sector clients.
•Distribution of revenue heavily weighted to school districts (about 62%).
•Dr. Loomis presented IMPLAN-based job estimates (233 direct on‑site FTEs; 298 supply‑chain; total 688 for construction; 97 ongoing FTEs for operations).
•Method and inputs for tax valuation (statutory $360,000/MW rate; depreciation; CPI trending factor).
•Opposing counsel cited ordinance sections to argue economic impact should be excluded; applicant counsel and presiding officer disagreed.
•Presiding officer ruled economic impact testimony permissible and left weight to the board.
