Brown County Commissioners on Monday morning, March 22, voted 4-1 to set May 10, 2021 as the date for a Public Hearing concerning creation of a reinvestment zone for the purpose of tax abatement to provide economic development within the county.  This is in reference to the proposed solar farm by IP Radian, LLC near Brookesmith in southwest Brown County.

The motion was approved by all four county commissioners but was opposed by County Judge Dr. Paul Lilly.  Commissioner Gary Worley read the motion.

“I move that Commissioner’s Court of Brown County conduct a Public Hearing on May 10, 2021 and provide notice, as required by law, of the creation of a reinvestment zone for purposes of tax abatement to provide economic development be published in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code, and to take possible action regarding tax abatement on a capital investment of approximately $297,951,000.”

It was the suggestion of County Attorney Shane Britton that, prior to the Public Hearing, a public forum be held outside a normal county commission meeting, perhaps in the evening, at a larger venue, where more citizens could attend.

“Having some type of forum where discussions can be more than three minutes at a time, maybe just take it up one night, having a bigger room, give each side an hour to present their side, so they’re not limited to three minutes at a time.”

Prior to the vote, during Public Comments, two men spoke.

Kenneth Adams expressed his concern.

“Our opposition has hired people in the Walmart parking lots, soliciting votes, no votes, and paying them to do that.  We have a concern over whether that, uh, how those votes are going to be making sure that they are votes of people in the county, or people that are landowners.  When you have people that are just getting paid to do it, they don’t have any moral obligation to get it right.  We have concerns about that and wanted to express that to the county.”

John Daigle then expressed his concern.

“I’m a taxpayer and I reside in Precinct 3 and I would remind the Court there’s been a previous request from the public to the Commissioners to investigate Wayne Shaw related to possible conflict of interest.  And for the record, if Commissioner’s Court decides to move forward on any vote related to the solar project in Brown County, prior to resolving the aforementioned issue, it would be prudent and lawful to exclude Wayne Shaw from that vote.  That’s all I have, thank you.”

In other business, Commissioners received a detailed report on Covid-19 cases and vaccination effort from Lisa Dick, Administrator of the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department.  As reported in a previous story on this site, Commissioners also lifted the Burn Ban in Brown County.