Cooper County residents hold town hall to discuss proposed solar field

PILOT GROVE, Mo. (KMIZ)

Cooper County residents held a town hall meeting in Pilot Grove to discuss a proposed solar farm project.

More than 100 local residents attended the meeting to express concerns over environmental impacts, tax revenues and the lasting effects of solar panels.

The Cooper County commissioners, county assessor, and State Rep. Tim Taylor attended the meeting.

Presiding Cooper County Commissioner George Monk confirmed that the county has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a roadway agreement with Boone Point Solar. Monk clarified that the MOU pertains to the tax rates that would be generated from the development.

The development sits on several hundred acres of privately owned land. Monk reminded residents of the importance of these negotiations.

"If we set standards too high, they're not going to talk to us," Monk said. "They're going to build it anyway. This is a private contract with private individuals. They don't have to have the MOU. So I think at that time that's the only opportunity we get to do that type of negotiations."

The county plans to have a public meeting with Boone Point at the end of May.