Solar Project - PILOTs?

[Wendy Todd]

Hello - 

I'm curious if anyone has had to contend with the decision to "opt-out" of PILOTs for solar projects or not. Specifically hoping to hear from folks about the pros and cons for opting out. 

Thank you!

[Lisa Glidden]

Wendy, I'm not sure if this is still a question for you, but check with your business officer about the impact it will have on your tax cap. I am pretty sure that PILOTs count a special way (or don't count) as revenue (?) in the tax cap formula. We have a number of PILOTs and I don't know that we've ever opted out, but I'm not sure that we have the option either when they're negotiated by our IDA. We're either in the PILOT or get nothing.

[Randy Stith]

Blessings!

In Hempstead we haven't had to address PILOTs associated with solar programs but we have had to deal with multiple projects to where the either the Town or County Governments are issuing PILOTs to developers without a community benefit agreement made directly to the school district. We started getting more vocal and addressing these concerns with developers because in all actuality, the Governing Agency are more than likely going to ok the project.

So, my advice is to keep an eye out on new Development happening in your school district and when someone is applying to build in your district, call them up and broker a deal so that some benefit(s) other than the fixed tax rate will go towards your school district. I'm sure the developers would want the support of the local school district. Or the other route is run for a seat in the Town or County where you live to where.you can cast a No vote.