$433,720 sought from wind farm
Staff writer
A new offer approved Monday seeks to resolve months of dispute over road damage in and around the Diamond Vista wind farm in northern Marion County.
After a 15-minute closed-door session with counselor Brad Jantz, county commissioners voted to send the wind farm’s owner, Enel Green Power of North America, a letter demanding payment of $433,720 to settle all claims relative to the wind farm’s road maintenance agreement.
Nearly two years ago, independent engineers estimated it would cost $473,020 to repair damage to 340th, 350th, 360th, Chisholm Trail, Diamond, Indigo, Limestone, and Pawnee Rds.
Enel disputed this and also said it was not responsible for paying the $686,000 charged by the independent engineering firm, Kirkham Michael.
Wind farms operate under a property tax exemption but typically include a voluntary payment in lieu of taxes. Enel deducted Kirkham Michael’s fee from its voluntary payment.