Lay down work has begun for the Alta Farms II wind project north of Hallsville and Thursday night, the DeWitt County Board heard from Cumings Engineering regarding that work and making sure everything meets the County's code.

Terry Fountain with Cumings Engineering told the Board it has been requested they be on site to watch for erosion issues. Fountain points out the DeWitt County Soil and Water Conservation District will be instrumental in recommendations for building permits for the project.

Fountain, whose company has several experiences working with local governments through the building process of wind farms, eased concerns regarding challenges experienced in other areas, like Macon County where its wind farm has experienced drainage issues according to board member Aaron Kammeyer.

Fountain also reinforced the company's stance that they work for the County. The County now has an interim zoning administrator approved Thursday night to be DeeDee Rentmeister and Fountain noted he is familiar with the County's zoning codes and will work with Rentmeister throughout the process.

Concerns were raised regarding the oversite of the work being done by construction crews and Fountain stressed it is not uncommon for him to be at a site during all hours of the day and did not rule out such a pattern for this project.

The Thursday night Board meeting saw the Board approve Mark Nunnery, Joe Whitte, and Mariah Anderson to the Regional Planning Commission, replacing Dave Steward - the RPC President and Bob Thomas. 

The Board also approved the Land Use Committee to make recommendations regarding changes to the County's solar energy ordinances as well as more time for the RPC, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and County Board six month to review the County's solar ordinances and any new applications filed would fall under any changes. 

This is similar to an ordinance passed in March for the County's wind ordinances however this ordinance does not require a moratorium on any applications as the County is expecting a solar ordinance application later this year.