Prineville council approves bigger city contribution to Renewable Energy Project

The Prineville City Council on a unanimous vote approved Resolution 1596 to amend a personal services agreement with TRM Energy Solutions LLC for the launch and permitting phase of the Prineville Renewable Energy Project (PREP). The amended scope increases the project cost to $2,315,000 and raises the city's contribution from $300,000 to $850,000, a $550,000 increase.

Caroline Irvin, director of strategy and economic development, told the council the change "increases the price of that scope of work... and adjusts the contribution from the city of Prainville from 300,000 to 850,000," and framed the city payment as a contribution toward $2,315,000 worth of work to get the project construction-ready. Irvin also said the project is expected to boost local revenues and jobs: "that's estimated to be about $2,000,000 a year" in tax and franchise revenue and "job creation of 20 direct jobs and a 100 indirect jobs." (Spoken wording preserved from the meeting.)

Council members pressed no formal conditions at the vote. City staff told the council finance had reviewed the change and "yes, the city can afford that," and characterized the city's payment as a relatively small share of the total work required to reach construction readiness.

Supporters said PREP could create new revenue streams for the city and railroad; the council's approval authorizes staff to complete the amended launch and permitting work with TRM Energy Solutions. The council did not record any separate amendments to the funding commitment during the meeting.

Resolution 1596 passed by voice vote; the motion carried unanimously. The project will return as work products and ordinances are prepared and brought back to the council for subsequent approvals.