Commissioners review impact-fee estimate tied to wind project: draft cites roughly $15 million to county

Commissioners and staff reviewed fiscal estimates for a proposed wind project during the Nov. 19 meeting, including an example impact-fee formula of 0.5% of estimated project cost. Using a project cost figure of $1,050,000,000 presented in the draft, participants recorded a per-year impact-fee estimate of about $5,000,000 for three years, or roughly $15,000,000 total.

The meeting transcript shows differing tower-count figures used in various calculations (participants referenced 150, 170, and 177 towers at different points). Commissioners emphasized that these numbers are illustrative, subject to change depending on final project design and setback decisions. The clerk cautioned that changes in setbacks could shift tower placement and therefore the taxable base and fee calculations. Commissioners asked staff to include the formula and illustrative numbers in the draft findings and to note their provisional nature.