The Hill County Commissioners Court voted to terminate the county’s tax abatement agreement with Gransolar Texas Ten for a planned solar project Tuesday, October 13.
According to information presented in court, the company is no longer moving forward with its planned development southeast of Hubbard.
In July, Gransolar approached the county with requests to extend the deadlines for the company to complete its project under the tax abatement agreement.
Prior to the July meeting, the company withdrew one of its requests, which was to extend the completion date of the 83.6 megawatt solar electric generating facility from December 2025 to December 2027.
The court denied Gransolar’s second request in July, which was to extend the deadline for the company to complete its 135.12 megawatt AC battery energy storage facility from the third quarter of 2026 to the third quarter of 2029 due to construction delays.
In other action, the court approved submitting a memorandum of understanding to the City of Hillsboro regarding a county fire marshal position. Commissioners have been discussing partnering with the city for fire marshal services with the goal of ensuring industrial development projects are in compliance with regulations. The city is expected to review the document as negotiations continue.
The court approved terminating the county’s contract related to a Community Development Block Grant through the Texas Department of Agriculture for Post Oak Special Utility District water improvements in the Hubbard area.
The county is involved in the agreement because grant funds are distributed to the county to be passed on to the district. County Judge Shane Brassell said that the grant administrator had identified an issue with the application after it was submitted, and the project is no longer eligible for the funding.
A related contract with Mathis Construction for the project was also canceled. The district plans to seek grant funds for another project that would benefit the residents it serves.
Commissioners approved job descriptions for road and bridge operator II, III and IV positions. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jim Holcomb recently proposed adding the operator IV position to create an incentive for road and bridge employees to move up by becoming certified on two pieces of equipment and accumulating three years of experience.
The court voted to accept a donation of 1,325 tons of rock from Hubbard Wind 2 for use in Precinct 3.
Commissioners approved applying for the FY 2027 Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to qualified counties for the purchase of ambulances.
The court renewed the county’s annual mental health counseling services agreement with the Heart of Texas Council of Governments. Hill County will receive $2,567 for the reimbursement of mental health counseling services during fiscal year 2027 through the Juvenile Justice Alternative Grant Program.
The transition of current county employee Justin Reneau to a position in the newly created Development Services office was approved. Reneau will now be employed in the department’s sign installer/road maintenance position.
A communications system agreement was approved with Bosque County. Under the arrangement, Bosque County will be allowed to connect its public safety communications infrastructure to Hill County’s radio system. This will allow Bosque County to construct its own radio towers while sharing Hill County’s existing system core.
In return, Bosque County will split the cost of the yearly system maintenance with Hill County.
Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Jackson said that there is no down side of the agreement for Hill County or its residents.
The court also approved regular business matters, including purchasing vehicles and equipment in precincts 2 and 3 and the emergency management department, declaring unused equipment as salvage or surplus to be discarded or sold, and agreements related to the county’s new health care plans.
