October 14, 2015
Kansas

Pratt County Commission: Wind farm area identified

By Gale Rose | Pratt Tribune | Posted Oct. 13, 2015 | www.pratttribune.com

Pratt County Commissioners got their first look Monday evening at a map showing the location of the transmission lines for NextEra’s proposed wind generation farm in Pratt County.

What the commissioners don’t have from NextEra is their necessary second application that would include all the necessary studies that have to be approved before the wind farm can proceed.

NextEra will have to present the application to the County Planning and Zoning Board that will then make a recommendation to the commissioners for their ruling on the application.

But so far, NextEra has made no date to present the application, said County Commissioner Glenna Borho.

NextEra also has to get a road approval agreement but that won’t happen until they meet with Planning and Zoning.

A meeting between NextEra and Randy Phillippi, county road supervisor, is planned for Thursday.

Phillippi presented the map to the commissioners at their regular Monday meeting. The proposed wind farm would have 121 wind generators.

Transmission lines are outside of the A1 Agriculture Zoning District and do not require a vote of the commissioners or the County Planning and Zoning Board to begin construction. The poles for the transmission lines will be made of concrete for longer life.

Phillippi said two new workers had started Monday and another would start work Oct. 19. The new hires do not have CDLs so they will be working on road graders.

Mike Garrett, Horizons Mental Health CEO, presented the first fiscal quarter earnings and said revenues were where he expected them to be. It takes about $1 million a month to operate Horizons. Right now, state revenue issues are a big concern for Horizons.

Garrett also notified the commissioners that Osawatomie State Hospital is currently operating 146 of their 206 beds because 60 beds are being remodeled.

Pratt County Counselor Bob Schmisseur presented a replat map of Lot 2, Block 1 of the East Addition of the Prairie Parkways Industrial Park. The commissioners unanimously approved the replat that will allow lots to split if necessary.

Robert Torres, county environmental services, is working with a county resident on a septic system issue with a lateral line and tree removal. The system was installed in 1995 and is undersized for current needs.

Torres said it was the property owner’s decision on which to run the line but urged him to stay away from trees.

The department continues to spray bindweed but all other spraying has come to an end.