Editor,
As a concerned resident of Kendall County and former county commissioner, the issues raised over the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are of great importance to the future of Kendall County.
Will a Chapter 391 Planning and Development Commission accomplish something that is inherently incapable of achieving its stated purpose; In essence and by law, a separate political subdivision of the state with all the planning, powers and use of taxpayer money.
Time and taxpayer money spent forming another layer of red tape, audits and gaining oversight from Austin if it utilizes state or federal funds with no additional authority. Rather than locally negotiating acceptable terms from Key Capture Energy to secure the health, safety and welfare of county residents seems to be a high cost without benefits. Any legal missteps by this board would also present possible liability for taxpayers as well as the individual board members of the commission.
So, I ask, do we as a county that already has a political subdivision, Kendall County Commissioners Court, open our wallets to support another layer of government? In my opinion, I think not.
I challenge Kendall County Commissioners Court to use their legal authority with business owners, taxpayers, members of our current and past legislature and current state agencies to develop and implement a plan while supporting legislation to address the issues.
Suggest using the Kendall County Community Wildfire Protection Plan attributes as a basis for the plan. If fire and hazardous materials are some of the issues, utilize existing vested county authorities in the planning and implementation.
— Richard Elkins
Kendall County resident
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