County approves annual increment payments for solar projects; Red Hills payment conditioned on compliance

The county’s redevelopment board approved the annual increment payments for a portfolio of solar projects, but made the payment for Red Hills Renewables conditional on resolving neighborhood dust and vegetation management concerns.

David Johnson told the board that 11 solar project areas had submitted documentation to qualify for post‑performance incentives and that the county requires applicants to submit required paperwork by April 1. "Unless there's any questions, that's all that's to it," Johnson said, listing the projects and noting three outstanding reports that staff expected to receive.

Commissioners flagged a neighbor complaint at Red Hills about vegetation management: the developer had applied a product that killed vegetation and created dust, and neighbors reported dust blowing into their area and onto county roads. The motion to approve the 2025 annual increment payments for all listed entities was moved and seconded with a condition that Red Hills come into compliance with the issues discussed; the motion passed by voice vote.

What’s next: staff will follow up with Red Hills Renewables and notify the county’s economic development staff and legal counsel if compliance steps are not completed before the payment is executed.