Keith County approves haul-road agreement for small solar site with six-month sunset

Keith County commissioners authorized the county to sign a haul-road agreement tied to a small solar farm project, and approved that the agreement include a six-month sunset and an inspection condition. County staff described the agreement as the standard document the county uses to protect roads when heavy equipment or battery containers travel county routes for projects such as solar farms. Officials said the permit was connected to Hornet Construction's solar permit and that the battery-containing transport boxes are heavy loads the county wants to inspect. The board voted to authorize the county clerk to sign the agreement and directed staff to inspect the route before heavy hauling begins and again during activity. County staff said they prefer a six-month term with the option to extend by addendum if the developer needs more time. Commissioners also asked staff to confirm start and end dates in the executed agreement and to keep a signed copy on file.