Commissioners say county lacks enforcement capacity as solar rules are considered

As the commission discussed penalties and compliance for proposed solar regulations, several members warned the county currently lacks the staff and prosecutorial capacity to enforce new rules.

One commissioner argued “100,000 should go to a code enforcer,” urging the commission to consider whether a community payment should fund enforcement. Others noted that even with funding, enforcement would require the county attorney to prosecute and a majority of commissioners to support action. Members concluded enforcement language and funding need alignment among the attorney, sheriff and commissioners before the county sets strong penalties.

Commissioners asked staff to identify enforcement options and clarified that the proposed $100,000 figure was a community-directed suggestion rather than an adopted funding commitment.