The Christian County Board met on Tuesday evening to discuss ordinance, new and old business, and to review committee reports. One big discussion the board had was on the zoning for a solar farm. Shelly Kaplan, who lives near the proposed Solar Farms on Langleyville Road spoke out against the solar farms with some valid concerns especially property value. 

Chairman Matt Wells explained that the permit that was in place had been granted and was expired.

The zoning board sent it with two conditions: there has to be a vegetation screen between the solar farm and the neighbors and there has to be a decommissioned plan.

The motion to approve the special use permit was brought up and discussion went on for about 10 minutes. Voting in favor of the motion included: Chuck Smedley, Mike Specha, Matt Wells, Timothy Carlson, Craig Corzine, Linda Curtin, Ray Koontz, and Dale Livingston. Voting no was Ken Franklin, Bev Graham, Vicki McMahon, Venise McWard, Gene Price, Brian Sharp, and Thomas Snyder Jr. The motion passed 8-7. 

The 2022 budget was also approved with discussion on the Sheriff’s budget going from 4% to 3%. Jail Commissioner Cecil Polley stressed that with the decrease in the budget it would be hard for them to be able to provide court security. The budget passed.

Matt Wells also discussed new maps for the county.  There is a new law that will be put into effect that requires there to be 1200 persons in each precinct.  Wells is concerned as that means some people will be driving close to ten miles to vote. 

Craig Corzine asked what would happen if they didn’t put new maps in place, and Chairman Wells said that the State would come in and take over.

The board will discuss the maps at a later date. The next County Board meeting is set for December 21st.