Commissioners take steps toward repair work with Rush Springs Solar, LLC

Apr. 2—Future projects involving solar energy made a road maintenance and repair agreement with Stephens County Commissioners and Rush Springs Solar, LLC. the top priority Monday morning.

Commissioner Todd Churchman said Assistant District Attorney Charles Sifers approved the road maintenance agreement.

"The haul route that we approve — they will pay for the maintenance on those roads," he said. "We'll do it, but they will reimburse us through the materials."

He said a few of the roads on the Beaver Creek project could fall into Chairman Russell Morgan's access roads.

Churchman said if the road maintenance agreement is sold, the agreement will transfer will continue to remain active.

He said it will be for hundreds of acres of solar.

Next Era Energy Lead Project Manager Bridget Acland said part of their work is forming community partnerships.

Acland said Rush Springs Wind is one of their projects, along with sponsoring the Watermelon Festival and donating the Bray-Doyle band trailer.

"If there's a need in the community that we can help meet, we'd love to be made aware of it," she said.

Acland said the road use agreement (RUA) presented is their preliminary proposed route and they will take any feedback given by the commissioners.

The board approved the RUA Haul Route map.

County Commissioners then approved the establishment of a cemetery in Bray-Doyle after a hearing Monday.

In September 2023, Stephens County Commissioners approved a letter to establish a cemetery in Bray-Doyle after hearing from Eric and Farah Dorman. Then, in March 2024, the board voted to approve the application for the cemetery and host a public hearing April 1.

With no opposing statement, the .97 acres along Highway 29 will soon become 300 plots in the establishment of the cemetery in Bray-Doyle.

The board approved the cemetery and to move forward.

Farah Dorman said they appreciate the help they received.

In another segment, Ken Shaw, construction manager at-risk with Hope Equipment and Construction, presented a brief update to county commissioners in regards to the bids for the Stephens County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds renovation project is part of the county's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending.

Due to the Good Friday holiday, Shaw said they had several supply houses closed and the timeline was too tight of a schedule to gather necessary information.

"We put out an addendum that delayed that until next Monday," he said.

For the Stephens County Annex renovation project, Shaw said he walked through the building with Stephens County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Rick Lang and Office Manager Carla Riley.

He said they addressed changing three wood doors for metal doors.

"We ordered three all metal doors," he said.

In other news, the board approved:

—Five fairground rental agreements: the Duncan Noon Lions Club Carnival in the parking lot May 23-25; the Duncan Noon Lions Club Rodeo in the Claud Gill Arena June 27-29; F&F Rodeo in the Claud Gill Arena July 26-27; the Chisholm Trail RAM Prairie Circuit Rodeo Finals in Territory Hall, Harvest Room, Stephens County Arena and Claud Gill Arena October 17-19; and the Stephens County Coin Club Show in Territory Hall Feb. 21-22, 2025.

The Stephens County Commission will convene again at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 8 the Stephens County Courthouse.