The Snyder ISD board of trustees, on Thursday, approved an agreement with Fluvanna Wind Energy, LLC, that could provide $3.9 million to the district over the life of the 10-year appraised value limitation on qualified property — also known as payments in lieu of taxes.
The board also terminated a June 2013 agreement with the planned wind farm that was set to expire on Dec. 31.
Max Drum, one of the project organizers, told the board that nothing has changed with the project.
“It is still a community-owned project,” said Drum, adding that all leases with landowners are still in effect.
Christos Ghionis of Terna, a firm based in Greece, told the board before the vote that the agreement would be necessary in order to obtain financing for the $30 million project. Terna has participated in constructing wind farms worldwide, including in Idaho.
Plans to be submitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for approval state the project will be located entirely in Scurry County and within the Snyder school district. If the appraised value limitation agreement is approved by the state, construction could begin in June and the wind farm could go online one year later.
The board also approved Moak, Casey & Associates as consultants on the project.
“Our job is to make sure the school district does not lose any money on the project,” said Dr. Thomas Alvis. “The school district will be held harmless for any revenue loss and could receive an additional benefit of up to $100 per ADA (average daily attendance) for up to 14 years.”
On a split vote, trustees voted against a motion to change the trustees’ district boundaries.
Before the vote, Superintendent Jim Kirkland said there was no requirement to redraw the district lines.
“The district is not in violation of the 1989 court order,” he said.
Before the vote, the board discussed the amount0 already paid to Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado and Acosta to draw new boundaries. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Randy Burks said any additional costs would be minimal.
Jim Drake made the motion to approve the plan to redraw the district lines with Ralph Ramon and Ron Hester voting in favor.
Brad Hinton, Doug Neff, Sarah Jamison and board president Ronnie Anderson voted against the plan.
In other action items, trustees approved local policy updates; split their votes between Jerry Boyd, David Beaver, Keith Clements, Fred Cross and Joe Taylor to serve on the Scurry County Appraisal District board of directors; and approved a resolution encouraging Gov. Greg Abbott to appoint an educator as the next Texas Commissioner of Education.
The board also discussed forms for evaluating the district’s superintendent and heard an update from Burks on school finances.
Burks said the possible elimination of the state revenue source known as Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction (ASATR) would be very detrimental to the district.
“The possibility of losing 20 percent of our revenue is alarming,” he said.
The program expires in 2017 and if it is not extended, the district could lose approximately $6.5 million in state funds each year.
Burks said the reduction in state revenue could require local revenue to be increased, and/or decreasing expenses.
In other reports, Anderson announced that all trustees had exceeded the number of continuing education hours required by the Texas Education Agency.
The board approved contracts for new employees Carlton Bryant (Snyder Junior High School), Hailey Broderick (Snyder High School) and Brigette West (district ARD facilitator).
Resignations were announced from Terry Morris, Sarah Gubachy, Efijenio “Vic” Maldoado, Kelly Miller and Kellye Starnes.
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