WASHINGTON

From reviewing the initial draft of a county wind energy ordinance and a presentation from Jeff Neves of Deriva Energy (formerly with Duke Energy of North Carolina) most of Monday’s supervisor meeting was heavy on wind.

The 11-page draft, which dates to January 2021, contains a number of revisions dealing with operation, site selections, construction, operation of the systems and, in particular, placement of Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) on property in the county’s unincorporated areas. It also covers meteorological towers, used primarily to measure wind speed and direction and other data relevant to siting and/or operation of WECS.

A key concern is the half-mile setback for the wind turbines, commercial or private, that Neves said could prove “problematic” as well as being “very challenging” compared to a 1,500-foot setback that has been used in other areas in the nation.

Neves, who attended via conference call, said that Deriva has a power plant in Kossuth County in Iowa and has a long history of developing and operating WECS. In regard to Washington County as a site for what has been called a wind farm, “it is a very early-stage effort in Washington County.” However, he added, there is a “a lot of potential” in such a project, but “it takes a long time to develop.”

Another concern is the actual sites for turbines, especially for the foundations to support the towers. “There is a lot of work in siting turbines,” he explained, referring to needing proper soil testing, as well as the location itself, and being aware of possible impact on drainage tile systems in the area; in fact, the proposed ordinance covers mitigation requirements cost and responsibilities for such an impact.

Asked about a turbine falling, Neves said, “it is rare,” and the few that have occurred usually had initial design failures.

Both Neves and the board members made reference to WECS becoming more likely as an energy source, as well as agreeing that public information meetings are needed. Neves said that Deriva would do public presentations in a series of open houses and has met with proper owners in the county since the first interest was shown three years ago. Neves said there will be such a meeting from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the county fairgrounds. Even more, it is likely that regular information meetings could be once a month for all interested or involved in the project. Again, he stressed “it will take time” to develop.

The board agreed it would review the ordinance, and if approved, will do the full three readings before passage.

When it comes to technology, the board took a major step with approval of a new position of an Assistant Systems Administrator for the Information Technology (IT) Department of which Cindy Sinn is the administrator. She and Tim Smith, both of whom serve on the county’s technology committee, stressed the need for a position that would provide backup for maintaining and operating the very complex portions of the county’s total information technology systems. Consequently, the new position is very specific about the applicant’s ability to perform essential functions, especially within the county’s communications systems at all levels.

Sinn noted that “there are a lot of challenges” in the IT system, and there will be more as systems continue to develop. Considering the pace of such developments, it was stressed that “there is not a lot of time” to start meeting existing challenges right now and ones coming in the near future.

After some further discussion, including supervision of it by the board and IT director, the board approved its creation by 4-1 votes, with supervisor Marcus Fedler opposed.

In other business, the board accepted the quarterly report from the sheriff’s department that showed a total fund balance of $29,691 for the quarter.

The board received a copy of PAWS and More’s annual report from director Amber Talbot and board member Elaine Moore that noted progress on the animal rescue services’ new $3.5 million building (for which the City of Washington last year allocated a $20,000 donation) on a five-acre site near the city’s wastewater plant. The new building has received numerous private donations, as well as support from grants and organizations. Both thanked the county for its support of the service that in the last year has handled some major animal numbers due to seizures by authorities of neglected and abused animals. PAWS also has had to deal with the veterinarian shortage in the state.

The regular allocation to aid with the PAWS operation for the coming fiscal year is $32,858.

The board also deferred action on a resolution for a road project to next week and accepted the treasurer’s semi-annual report.