Supervisors approve solar setbacks, appoint extension board member

Regulations regarding construction and operation of solar energy conversion systems were approved, Friday, when Holt County Supervisors met in regular session.

County planning and zoning administrator Marv Fritz provided an update via phone. According to Fritz, planning and zoning board members suggested using the property line as the setback because “it’s the cleanest.”

“If it’s the property line, it only deals with a house. Any of the other stuff isn’t going to have an effect,” Fritz said. “It eliminates all problems.”

Construction near a church or school will require fencing around it.

“If you’re spending $20 million on a project, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want a fence around it to start with,” Fritz said.

Supervisor Darrin Paxton made a motion to accept the regulations. Following a second by Supervisor Scott Keyes, the motion passed unanimously.

Extension educator Amy Timmerman discussed appointments to the extension board. Supervisors approved adding Molly Jennings as a district five representative.

In other business, supervisors:

• Listened to a concern from a Holt County resident regarding license plate numbers and renewals.

• Approved Resolution 2023-18 with Preliminary Engineering Services for the Atkinson Southeast bridge project.