The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously during its Tuesday regular meeting to extend its moratorium on solar farms and solar farm applications for an additional 180 days.
County commissioners ultimately are expected to adopt an ordinance that deals with issues such as setback requirements and proximity to residential areas.
No solar farms currently exist in Baldwin County, although there are now three in Putnam County, as well as one outside of McIntyre in Wilkinson County.
Also, County Manager Carolos Tobar announced that the bidding process soon will begin on the new Collins P. Lee Memorial Library in Harrisburg. Congress earmarked $1.2 million for the project in 2023, and at the time it was announced that the library would include highspeed internet, a computer lab and reading areas. The project is all part of the Harrisburg Park Master Plan from 2016. Since that time, projects have included a community garden, a splash pad, a pavilion, walking track and playground.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Commissioner Scott Little and Commissioner Andrew Strickland made it clear that they would like to replace all five members of the Board of Tax Assessors. When it came time to confirm current board member Ronald Stevenson to an additional term, Little and Strickland voted no, while commissioners Emily Davis, Kendrick Butts and Sammy Hall voted yes, thus giving Stevenson six more years on the board.
The Board of Tax Assessors has faced unprecedented scrutiny following a recent performance review from the Georgia Department of Revenue. The report cited a “lack of proficiency,” problems implementing a new software system, as well as missed deadlines. The report also asserted that appraisal errors in 2024 resulted in $371,000 in property taxes paid by homeowners that should have been charged to utility companies.