County considers fees for solar installation

By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court discussed additional fees for the installation of solar panels, particularly for properties that are in flood plains.

911 Administrator Trisha Basham said the fees weren’t necessarily for solar panels installed on the roof of a facility, but those installed in yards which could constitute an eyesore, and that currently there are no fees at all.

County Judge Fritz Faulkner said he was not a fan of charging property owners additional fees for being energy wise, but Commissioner Mark Nettuno said there could be a benefit from fees to commercial property.

In the end, the county tabled the matter until a future workshop could be held to revamp certain county ordinances.

Separately, in the public comments portion of the meeting, moved to after the agenda items, several county residents chided the court for its lack of action in solving the communications problems in the Sheriff’s Office.

Many residents said the issue constitutes an emergency and asked the commissioners to treat it as such and solve the problems.

In other business, the court:

•approved revisions to a subdivision plat in Waterwood pending the payment of any delinquent taxes in full;

•renewed a contract with Pitney Bowes for postage machines;

•declared an office chair as salvage;

•approved the refund of rent on the storm shelter for a canceled event;

•proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and approved the use of the Courthouse grounds for a display;

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•approved the use of the Courthouse Square for a wellness vendor event;

•renewed an agreement for Affordable Care Act tracking services;

•re-appointed County Treasurer DiAnna Bailey as county investment officer;

•approved the county investment policy;

•approved an agreement with Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office regarding law enforcement;

•approved a variance for Walther and Edith Kellum for a lot split;

•approved a plat for Cranford Estates;

•approved a lot split for Jessica LaFoutain;

•approved the donation of a jet machine from the city of Shepherd;

•approved seeking bids for engineering services for the review of pass-through costs for subdivision rules;

•declared property owned by Jose Alariaz and J. Doss as being under the family exemption from subdivision rules;

•approved combining lots in the Waterwood subdivision for Clifford Reddick;