HomeMy WebLinkAboutUpdate Documents - BOCCI BUILDING I
Total Submitted current month 46
Total Issued current month 34
Submitted by Portal 43
Submitted in office or by mail 3
46
Accessory to SFR
12
Commercial, Addh Alteration
4
Demolition
3
Manufactured, Mobile, PMRV
7
Mechanical
4
Modular, FAS
0
Plumbing
0
Residence, Addh Alteration
16
GIM
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
46
0
0
Grant County Development Services
JUNE 2026
1m]
FIRE MARSHAL
Total Submitted current month 14
Total Issued current month 26
Submitted by Portal 13
Submitted in office or by mail 1
14
FM Construction 3
FM Operational 11
14
PLANNING
Address
10
Administrative Approval
0
Alt Final
0
AOI
0
Boundary Line Adj / Seg
5
BSP - Final
0
BSP - Prelim
0
Comp Plan Amend & UDC
3
Conditional Use Permit
0
Development Agreement
0
Discretionary Use Permit
0
Floodplain Development Permit
0
Pre -Application Conference
1
Planned Unit Development
0
Rezone
0
Reasonable Use Exemption
0
SEPA
4
Shoreline Exemption
0
Shoreline Permit
0
Short Subdivision - Final
1
Short Subdivision - Prelim
2
Site Plan Review
1
Subdivision - Alt
0
Subdivision - Final
I
Subdivision - Prelim
0
Transient Residence
2
UDC Amendment
0
Utility Easement Ext/Alt
0
Variance
0
Total Submitted Current Month
30
REVENUE - Total Deposits to - Building & Fire Marshal
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YTD TOTALS
2026
145,993
192,415
135,869
101,287
310,733
106,273
992,569
2025
106,627
74,592
105,959
120,805
80,567
130,322
72,855
160,379
53,972
541,527
133,684
84,369
1,665,657
2024
89,867
134,314
164,421
209,010
403.,104
148,347
409,414
182,135
178,532
177,223
89,722
107,533
2,293,618
2023
75,058
75,184
146,574
52,136
65,846
72,896
160,096
122,269
229,080
193,687
129,045
104,348
1,426,219
2022
57,907
77,518
115,938
136,615
69,697
124,195
119,454
104,077
77,563
72,773
71,670
33,658
1,061,065
2021
100,634
141,137
132,394
157,315
97,430
102,468
100,979
89,161
72,461
131,084
52,717
74,938
1,252,718
2020
49,507
73,100
69,031
33,351
59,050
99,208
107,035
58,555
74,159
112,694
60,709
75,255
871,654
2019
66,404
53,752
112,898
119,129
114,710
67,952
73,726
90,403
107,578
106,807
53,035
55,884
1,022,278
2018
98,766
75,264
116,947
73,959
83,331
83,592
154,358
102,688
92,607
78,453
105,383
57,852
1,123,200
2017
32,840
53,670
98,562
100,309
88,954
89,813
74,592
79,244
82,186
80,123
61,745
43,615
885,654
2016
26,491
52,517
80,066
95,765
105,484
79,092
83,473
70,319
67,200
46,827
58,033
48,874
814,143
2015
67,618
61,122
77,065
62,653
92,795
69,859
68,458
56,825
72,217
68,101
47,980
64,587
809,279
2014
45,440
63,648
74,594
53,716
93,601
57,850
85,489
89,423
73,443
55,980
48,144
61,379
802,707
2013
52,821
38,820
48,884
81,996
96,685
48,834
67,903
62,731
60,333
57,743
45,383
46,203
708,335
2012
26,966
25,748
65,297
95,228
87,701
68,887
72,206
89,501
57,941
44,128
26,432
41,157
701,192
2011
25,427
32,240
65,252
76,693
74,534
36,694
39,373
61,474
54,560
52,012
52,103
43,067
613,430
2010
25,259
43,549
66,130
71,435
52,642
151,438
60,612
44,589
52,516
84,979
66,325
36,285
755,758
Revenue Totals represented total deposit collections Including Planning % and State Code Fees through 2017
"May dep total-$231.784,50 deposit transfer to Quincy Solar -QSEL accounts
Grant County Development Services
JUNE 2026
Page 2
REVENUE - Total Deposits to Planning (Excluding Grants/Dept of Ecology)
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN JULY AUG SEP OCT
NOV DEC YTD TOTALS
Plan Pmts
15,015
22,450
20,640
15,893
16,581
7,645
98,224
PL Misc (2 acets)
-
12
12
Old Bldg Pmt 5%
2025 Totals
15,015
22,450
20,640
15,905
16,581
7,645 _ -
_ - 98,236
2025 Totals
23,061
19,155
25,007
26,978
28,331
14,573 41,918 10,364 11,309 218,381
14,311 7,983 441,371
2024 Totals
20,038
20,806
16,729
21,339
9,906
29,162 34,644 14,273 23,660 32,831
"ADJUSTMENT DUE TO ENTRY ERROR
23,426 36,456 283,270
"entry terror in Feb deposits, addeo to spreadsheet in April
APPS IN
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL I YTD AVG
" Note - some previous month numbers may change with the next report as Portals are accepted, returned for add9 info or voided due to SmartGov tracking
2026
36
35
47
45
53
46
262
44
2025
48
47
55
52
38
55
56
39
48
57
30
34
559
47
2024
46
53
99
58
67
81
61
53
39
54
24
38
673
56
2023
34
73
61
51
49
87
59
100
58
52
41
38
703
59
2022
57
71
75
70
90
81
71
51
66
56
43
33
764
64
2021
108
162
85
95
79
83
52
77
49
73
60
50
973
81
2020
70
67
67
62
45
84
76
85
80
113
73
131
953
79
2019
76
63
76
72
87
56
68
96
83
78
61
46
862
72
2018
68
142
75
72
94
88
63
85
73
79
96
48
983
82
2017
34
76
74
91
81
92
71
66
60
96
64
37
842
70
2016
49
76
99
52
69
113
65
73
55
57
49
47
804
67
2015
38
48
68
51
73
61
41
43
72
62
40
39
636
53
2014
59
60
44
76
67
50
76
51
56
69
37
63
708
59
2013
23
49
44
56
70
76
52
52
45
47
32
39
585
49
2012
30
56
67
58
75
68
57
57
45
49
35
37
634
53
2011
33
53
69
50
58
58
51
60
51
44
41
31
599
50
2010
33
45
117
70
61
61
53
52
52
54
16
48
662
55
PERMITS ISSUED
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC I TOTAL I YTD AVG
2026
37
33
48
55
35
34
242
40
2025
36
27
50
57
75
42
35
39
20
50
34
44
509
42
2024
27
41
45
53
61
80
44
77
46
60
50
35
619
52
2023
46
35
55
54
47
49
54
65
49
52
51
44
601
50
2022
40
59
76
61
56
84
68
68
49
52
46
32
691
58
2021
80
66
114
91
76
95
81
57
63
96
62
52
933
78
2020
42
56
43
24
71
56
78
52
63
84
64
91
724
60
2019
74
63
51
96
75
57
56
86
90
92
47
42
829
69
2018
50
54
97
82
79
76
81
114
63
66
71
70
903
75
2017
40
33
64
76
78
79
66
80
71
71
70
38
766
64
2016
27
52
79
72
58
46
77
54
70
45
47
60
687
57
2015
32
56
75
49
43
66
58
56
54
67
38
45
639
53
2014
36
53
58
50
58
47
59
60
58
58
45
56
638
53
2013
37
29
53
50
57
50
61
47
43
47
40
33
547
46
2012
22
30
33
63
59
59
72
58
47
59
30
32
564
47
2011
29
32
68
49
70
45
61
43
52
59
40
38
586
49
2010
29
29
54
52
54
84
44
43
61
48
54
33
585
49
Mid -Year Change 2022 to Permit Types put some projects that were previously listed as Buliding Permits into a separate FM Permit category after June 9, 2022
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
264 Division Avenue W * PO Box 37
Ephrata, WA 98823
GRANT COUNTY'
WASHINGTON
PLANNING DIVISION
(509) 754-2011 Ext. 2501
PianningDivision@grantcountywa.gov
GRANT COUNTY RENEWABLE ENERGY EXCISE TAX BRIEF
KEY POINTS
• HB 1960 created a new renewable energy excise tax structure that is intended to address the
long-term tax base decline caused by depreciation of the current personal property tax approach
for renewable energy projects.
• Grant County qualifies for the Local investment Distribution Grant Program because it has
qualifying projects (completed SEPA applications by November 2025), so the County is not
required to amend its ordinance to meet this eligibility condition.
• The new tax structure becomes effective January 1, 2028, and applies to projects that become
operational on or after that date, while earlier projects may opt in if they meet the statutory
conditions.
• The local excise tax rates identified in Development Services March 30, 2026, Bi-Monthly Update
to the Board are $2,905 per MW per year for solar and $467 per MW of storage capacity per year
for battery storage.
• Based on the six Grant County projects identified by Commerce (see following table),
Development Services estimate is about $4.2 million per year in local renewable excise tax
revenue if all six projects are built, opt in, and are subject to the full local rate.
• The same six projects are estimated to generate about $1.389 million per year in state renewable
excise tax, which is the figure Commerce would use to size Grant County's proportional share of
the Local Investment Distribution Grant pool.
• Development Services March 30, 2026, Update highlights that these figures are rough planning
estimates and depend on project completion, operational status, election into the new tax
structure, and the Board's tax -rate decisions.
PROJECT OVERVIEW AND REVENUE ESTIMATES
Project
Solar MW
Storage MW
Status
Est. local tax
Appledale Energy
300
300
Awaiting construction
$1,011,600
Dry Falls Solar
400
200
Awaiting construction
$172557400
Quincy Solar
130
0
Under construction
$377,650
Quincy Valley Solar
130
0
Under construction
$377,650
Record Energy
80
80
SEPA in process
$269,760
Royal Sloe
ya p
260
260
NEPA and SEPA in process
p
87 4 4
$ 6, 60
Total
19300 MW
840 MW
$49168,520
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"To foster a thriving, resilient, and safe community through innovative planning, efficient building processes, and robust fire prevention measures."
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
264 West Division Ave. * PO Box 37
Ephrata, WA 98823
GRANT COUNTY'
WHIN!
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PLANNING DIVISION
(509) 754-2011 Ext. 2501
PlanningDivision@grantcountywa.gov
Grant County Development Services
March 30, 2026, Bi-Monthly Update
RE: Washington State HB 1960 - Renewable Energy Excise Tax Legislation
This passed legislation creates a NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY EXCISE TAX SYSTEM that will replace the
current personal property tax structure for renewable energy projects. It is designed to address the property
tax burden shift that occurs as wind and solar facilities depreciate over time.
Overall:
e We are positioned well -Grant County has:
• An existing Solar Ordinance (UDC 23.08.357) is already in place.
• Several renewable projects that submitted complete SEPA applications by November 2025.
What This Means:
• Opt -ineligibility: Our existing projects that met the November 2025 SEPA deadline can opt into the
new excise tax system at any time (rather than being forced into it).
® Grant funding eligibility: Because Grant County has qualifying projects that submitted SEPA
applications by November 2025, we automatically qualifyforthe Local Investment Distribution Grant
Program - no need to adopt Commerce's model ordinance.
• New revenue stream: Starting in 2028, counties will receive grant distributions from the state excise
tax revenue collected from renewable projects.
Timeline:
Effective date: January 1, 2028
• Applies to projects operational on/after that date, or projects that opt in.
• Our pre -November 2025 SEPA projects have flexibility to opt in through 2034
Bottom Line: Grant County's PROACTIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANNING puts us in an advantageous
position - we qualify for grant funding, and our existing projects have flexible opt -in options under this new tax
structure.
Grant County has six (6) eligible utility -scale projects on Commerce's SEPA list, totaling 1,300 MW of
solar with 840 MW of co- located storage.
1. Grant County projects on the SEPA list
Eligible projects (SEPA application filed by Nov 2025):
Pro j ect
Type
So lar
Sto rage
SEPA status
Overall status
MW
MW
Appledale Energy Center
Solar +
300
300
SEPA complete (MDNS)
Awaiting construction
storage
Dry Falls Solar Project
Solar +
400
200
SEPA complete (MDNS)
Awaiting construction
storage
Quincy Solar
Solar
130
0
SEPA complete (MDNS)
In construction
"To foster a thriving, resilient, and safe community through innovative planning, efficient building processes, and robust fire prevention measures."
Quincy Valley Solar
Solar
130
0
SEPA complete (MDNS)
In construction
Record Energy Center
Solar +
80
80
SEPA in process
In SEPA process
storage
Royal Slope
Solar +
260
260
NEPA & SEPA in process
In NEPA&SEPA process
storage
I
I I
Under HB 1960, Counties may levy a local renewable energy excise tax on qualifying facilities that becomizP
operational or opt in, instead of relying on depreciating personal property tax.
® Solar facilities: local excise tax rate is $2,905 per MW per year of nameplate capacity.
0 Battery storage: local excise tax rate is $467 per MWh (MW of storage capacity) per year.
These rates are fixed for the life of the facility, and revenues are distributed among local taxing districts
based on their property tax shares.
3. Rough annual local excise tax for Grant County
Assuming all six Grant County projects are built, opt into the new system, and are fully subject to the local
excise tax rates in statute:
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19300 MW x $2,905 ~- $3.78 million per year in local solar excise tax.
Storage component (840 MW of storage):
0 840 MW x $467 ~ $0.39 million per year in local storage excise tax.
rotal potential local renewable excise tax (Grant County -sited projects only):
• Approximately $4.2 million per year in stable, NOW DEPRECIATING tax revenue, to be shared
among local taxing districts.
• These projects also position Grant County to qualify for Commerce's Local Investment Distribution
grants, because they meet the "SEPA-filed by November 2025" criterion in the bill.
This is a very rough planning -level estimate and assumes: all projects reach operation, each opts into th,;;�.
excise regime, and the Board chooses to impose the full local tax rate allowed in statute.
4. Simple illustrative allocation by District type
Suppose purely for planning discussion, that our combined local property tax picture looks roughly like this:
0 County general government: 30 percent share.
0 County road fund: 20 percent share.
0 School districts (local levies): 30 percent share.
0 Fire, EMS, and other junior districts: 20 percent share.
Applied to the = $4.17 million per year:
District type (illustrative)
Assumed share
Illustrative annual amount
County general fund
30%
$1.25 million per year
County road fund
20%
=$0.83 million per year
School districts (combined local levies)
30%
$1.25 million per year
Fire, EMS, other junior districts
20%
$0.83 million per year
These percentages are only placeholders; the statute requires the treasurer to distribute excise revenue
based on each taxing district's actual prior -year property tax share, so the real splits will depend on our
actual levy mix.
5. Key details of the Local Investment Distribution Grant Program
The Local Investment Distribution Grant Program ("Local Grant Program") is a state -run program that channels
a portion of the new state renewable energy excise tax back to counties and then to local taxing districts.
Purpose and funding source:
The state share of the renewable energy excise tax goes into a new Local Investment Distribution
Account.
At least 75 percent of that state revenue f or each biennium is intended f or the Local Grant Program, with
any remainder (after program costs) going first to Ecology's Tribal Climate Capacity Grants, then to the
state General Fund.
How grant amounts are calculated:
Commerce must distribute f unds to each eligible county in proportion to the amount of state renewable
excise tax generated by qualifying projects in that county in the prior reporting period.
Within each county, funds must then be distributed to local taxing districts (county, cities, roads, fire.,
schools, etc.) according to each district's relative share of the local property tax levy, unless the
county is considered "rural. 11
Rural counties may elect to retain 100 percent of their allocation instead of passing it through to the
other districts.
A county is eligible for the Local Grant Program only if it:
0 Meets the project/ordinance test
o Either hosts a qualifying energy project that:
E Was operating before January 1, 2029, or
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o Or has adopted or "substantially adopted" Commerce's model siting ordinance.
111111 !11 1 11 11111110111111 11 11
o The county's development regulations must include specific requirements for qualifying energy
project developers, focused on early tribal engagement, DAHP coordination, and
archaeological/cultural resource protection.
1111q!111 III[ I I
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N
November 2025, we satisfy the first condition without needing to adopt the model ordinance.
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ISO I
Commerce must develop the model ordinance by July 1, 2028, addressing siting, decommissioning,
and financial assurance for qualifying energy projects.
• The model ordinance must be developed in consultation with project developers, tribes, and other
stakeholders, and is itself reviewed under SEPA.
• Local governments that adopt the model ordinance are exempt from SEPA review for that adoption.
• Within six months after Commerce adopts the model ordinance, a county's development regulations
cannot be more restrictive or burdensome than the model ordinance if the county wants to qualify
via the ordinance path.
8. Required Developer engagement standards
To qualify, County development regulations must require that Developers of qualifying energy projects:
• Early tribal engagement: Offer and document early, meaningful engagement with each Federally
recognized Tribe whose ceded territory or usual and accustomed area includes the project site, before
SEPA checklist submittal, with the goal -of agreeing on a plan to protect archaeological and cultural
resources.
• DAHP coordination: Notify and offerto meet with DAHP, sharing project location, scope, and available
application materials, again with the goal of a plan for archaeological and cultural resource protection.
• Site survey obligations: Surveythe project site in a way that reflects inputfrorn DAHP and theaffected
tribes.
* Allow the County to condition permits in line with any agreed plans with DAHP or tribes.
The bill clarifies that a project does not become ineligible for the Local Grant Program simply because:
The host jurisdiction imposes requirements consistent with state siting best practices, oi
* Mitigation is imposed via EFSEC or SEPA review.
9. State excise tax from Grant County projects
Using the statutory state renewable energy excise tax rates in HB 1960:
• State rate for solar generation: $968 per MW per year.
• State rate for battery storage: $156 per MW of storage capacity per year.
From the Commerce SEPA list, Grant County has:
0 11300 MW of solar (all six projects combined).
* 840 MW of storage (Appledale, Dry Falls, Record, Royal Slope).
Estimated state excise tax from Grant County projects:
• Solar: 1,300 MW x $968 $1,258,400 per year.
• Storage: 840 MW x $156 $131,040 per year.
* Total state excise tax attributable to Grant County projects: ~ $1,389,440 per year.
This 1.39M/year is the key input used by Commerce to size Grant County's share of the Local Investment
Distribution Grant pool, because county allocations are proportional to the amount of state excise tax
generated by projects in that county.
10. Translating to a Local Investment Distribution Grant estimate
The statute sets the structure, but not an explicit fixed percentage of the state's excise tax that returns to
counties; it says:
• At least 75 percent of state renewable excise tax revenues each biennium are intended for the Local
Investment Distribution Grant Program, after Commerce program costs, with any excess going first to
tribal capacity grants and then to the state General Fund.
• Commerce then distributes Local Grant Program dollars to counties in proportion to theirstate excise
contribution.
Because the total statewide excise base is unknown, we cannot compute an exact dollar Local Grant
amount for Grant County; we can only say:
• Grant County's "stake" in the statewide grant pool will be proportional to= $1.39M/yearof state excise
from these six projects, plus any additional qualifying projects that come online in the county.
• If, for Grant County projects ultimately represent 10 percent of the statewide state excise base,
the County would receive roughly 10 percentof the Local Investment Distribution Grant funds Commerce
distributed that year.
So, the most accurate statement Development Services can make is:
"Based on the Commerce SEPA list, our six qualifying projects would generate on the order of $1.4 million per
year in state renewable excise tax. Our Local Investment Distribution Grant from Commerce will be some
FRACTION of the statewide Local Grant pool proportional to that $1.4 million, with at least 75 percent of
statewide excise intended for local grant distribution."
11. How this would operate within Grant County -with funds distributed to local taxing
districts (county, cities, roads, fire, schools, etc.) according to each district's relative
share of the local property tax levy, unless the County qualifies to be considered
"Rural."
Within Grant County, the Local Investment Distribution Grant money would move in three main steps: from
the state to the County, then from the County to each taxing district in proportion to their actual property tax
levy shares, unless Grant County qualif ies as "rural" and chooses to keep 100 percent.
A. State --+ Grant County: how much we receive
• Qualifying projects in Grant County pay the new state renewable energy excise tax.
• The state deposits that revenue into the Local Investment Distribution Account.
• Commerce calculates, for the last reporting period, how much state excise tax came from:
• Projects in Grant County vs. projects in other counties.
• Commerce then allocates Local Grant Program dollars back to each eligible county in
proportion to the state excise tax generated by projects in that county.
In practical terms: if Grant County projects generated, say, 10 percent of the statewide state excise tax
that year, Grant County's Local Grant Program allocation would be roughly 10 percent of the Local
Investment Distribution Account funds available for counties that year.
B. Inside Grant County: how the Treasurer splits it
Once Commerce sends the Local Grant funds to Grant County, the statute tells you how it's supposed to
be split internally:
0 The County must distribute those funds to local taxing districts within the county.
• The allocation is based on each district's relative share of the local property tax levy from the
prior year.
That means the Treasurer would:
• Look at the prior -year certified levies for all local districts in Grant County that levy property tax
(county current expense, county roads, cities, fire districts, EMS, school excess levies, library,
hospital, etc.).
• Sum those into a total local property tax levy amount for the county (excluding the state school
levies, which are not "local" for this purpose).
• For each district, compute its percentage share of that total. For example (illustrative only):
o County Current Expense: 22%
o County Roads: 18%
o City of Moses Lake: 15%
o City of Quincy: 5%
o Fire District 3: 6%
o Fire District 5: 4%
o Hospital, library, ports, school excess levies, etc., making up the balance.
Apply those percentages to the Local Grant Program dollars the County receives.
Example with round numbers (purely illustrative):
• Commerce sends $2,000,000 in Local Grant funds to Grant County for the year.
• Prior -year levy shares (illustrative):
o County Current Expense: 22% --). 0.22 x $2,000,000 = $440,000
o County Roads: 18% --> 0.18 x $2,000,000 = $360,000
o School District excess levies (combined): 30% —> $600,000
o Cities (combined): 15% ---> $300,000
o Fire/EMS (combined): 10% --> $200,000
0 Other junior districts: 5% --* $100,000
In that structure, the Local Grant Program behaves like a "shadow" of the local tax base: whoever carries
more of the levy burden gets more of the grant distribution.
C. What "relative share of the local property tax levy" means
"Relative share" is not a fixed percentage in statute; it is whatever the levy math in Grant County was
last year:
• If a school district passes a large enrichment or capital levy, its share of the total local levy
increases, so its share of the Local Grant money would also increase in the next cycle.
• If a new fire district forms or a park district runs a successful levy, they would begin to share in
the Local Grant f u nds based on their levy size relative to everyone else.
If the County or a city passes a levy lid lift that increases their levy relative to others, their share
of the grant allocation increases accordingly.
This design deliberately ties the distribution of state renewable excise -derived grant money to the existing
property tax structure in Grant County, instead of inventing a new allocation formula.
The statute creates an exception for counties that qualify as "rural":
• If Grant County meets the statutory definition of a Rural County, it may elect to retain the full
amount of its Local Grant allocation.
In that case, the County is not required to push the funds down to each taxing district by levy
share.
The funds would then be budgeted according to whatever internal policies and appropriation
processes the Board of County Commissioners adopts, consistent with the program's purposes.
In practice, that gives a rural county Board more discretion to target renewable -related impacts
countywide (roads around projects, sheriff, planning staff, emergency response, community benefit
projects, etc.) instead of automatically mirroring the levy structure.
Grant County Treasurer's Office
Local Investment Distribution Grant Program Implementation Policy and Procedures
1. Purpose
This policy establishes how the Grant County Treasurer will receive, account for, and distribute funds from the
Local Investment Distribution Grant Program created under HB, 1960. The goal is to ensure distributions are
consistent with state law, transparent to local taxing districts, and integrated with existing property tax
practices.
2. Authority
This policy is adopted by resolution of the Grant County Board of County Commissioners and implemented by
the Grant County Treasurer. It is based on the Local Investment Distribution Grant Program provisions in H13
1960.
3. Definitions
Local Grant Program: The Local Investment Distribution Grant Program administered bythe Washington
State Department of Commerce.
Grant Allocation: The total amount of Local Grant Program funds remitted to Grant County for a
specific reporting period.
Local Taxing Districts: County, cities, towns, road districts, school districts (for excess levies), and
junior taxing districts (Fire, EMS, Library, Hospital, Ports, etc.) that levy property tax within Grant
County.
Prior -Year Local Property Tax Levy: The total certified property tax levies of all local taxing districts in
Grant County for the tax year immediately preceding the grant distribution year, excluding state school
levies.
Rural County Option: Authority under HB 1960 for qualifying rural counties to retain 100 percent of
their Grant Allocation instead of distributing by levy share.
4. Policy Direction
Standard Distribution Method:
Unless otherwise directed by Board resolution under the Rural County Option, Grant Allocation funds
will be distributed to local taxing districts in proportion to each district's relative share of the prior -yea
local property tax levy.
Rural County Option:
If Grant County qualifies as a "Rural County" under state law and the Board elects to exercise the
Rural County Option, the County may retain 100 percent of the Grant Allocation. In that case, the
Board will determine how funds are appropriated through the County's normal budget process,
consistent with program purposes.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Board of County Commissioners:
• Adopt and amend this policy by Resolution.
• Determine whether to exercise the Rural County Option and document that choice by resolution.
• Approve appropriation of any funds retained at the County level.
County Treasurer:
• Receive and deposit Grant Allocation funds from Commerce.
• Maintain separate accounting for Local Grant Program revenue and distributions.
• Annually calculate distributions to local taxing districts under this policy.
• Disburse funds and provide documentation to recipient districts.
County Auditor / Finance:
•
0 Provide prior -year levy data and certification information needed for calculations.
9 Coordinate budgeting and reporting for any funds retained at the County level.
6. Annual Procedure — Standard Distribution Method
The following steps apply when Grant County is not exercising the Rural County Option or chooses by policy
to mirror levy shares even when rural -eligible.
Receive Grant Allocation:
• The Treasurer's Office receives a grant award notice and payment from Commerce identifying the
Local Grant Program amount allocated to Grant County for the reporting period.
• The Treasurer deposits the Grant Allocation into a designated fund and revenue account (e.g., "Fund
1 701f).
Compile Prior -Year Levy DaLCI.
• The Treasurer obtains the final certified levy amounts for all local taxing districts in Grant County for
the prior tax year, excluding state levies.
• The Treasurer verifies totals against the tax roll and levy certification records maintained by the
Auditor/Finance.
Calculate Total Local LevyBase:
0 Sum all qualifying local district levy amounts to determine the Total Local Levy Base.
Determine Each District's Levy Share:
0 For each local taxing district, compute its Levy Share as:
"Levy Share" = "District Levy Amount" / "Total Local Levy Base"
Record the share as a percentage (e.g., 0.2200 = 22.00%).
Compute Each District's Grant Distribution:
• Let G = total Grant Allocation to Grant County for the period.
• For each district, calculate: "District Grant Amount" = G x "Levy Share"
• Apply standard rounding conventions and reconcile any rounding differences so that the sum of all
district amounts equals G.
Disbursement and Notification:
• Disburse Grant Allocation amounts to districts using the same or similar timelines and mechanisms
as regular property tax distributions, or as otherwise scheduled by the Treasurer.
• Provide each district with a distribution notice that includes:
o Total Grant Allocation to Grant County.
o District levy amount and levy share.
o District Grant Amount.
o Brief explanation that distribution is tied to prior -year levy shares and renewable excise
performance.
7. Annual Procedure — Rural County Option (if exercised):
If the Board adopts a resolution to exercise the Rural County Option, the following modified procedure
applies:
• The Treasurer receives and deposits the Grant Allocation as described in Step 1.
No levy -share -based distribution to local taxing districts is required.
The Auditor/Finance and Treasurer report the annual Grant Allocation to the Board as part of the
County budget process.
The Board appropriates the funds through the budget, prioritizing uses consistent with program
objectives (e.g., infrastructure near renewable projects, emergency response, planning capacity,
mitigation projects).
The Treasurer tracks expenditures and maintains documentation to support program compliance and
audit review.
8. Reporting and Audit:
The Treasurer will maintain an annual worksheet (see Appendix A) documenting:
o Total Grant Allocation
Total Local Levy Bast
• Each district's levy amount, levy share, and Grant Amount (for standard method); or
• County -level use and appropriations (for Rural County Option)
All award letters, levy data, worksheets, resolutions, and distribution records will be retained
consistent with County record retention schedules and made available for audit.
9. Policy Review:
This policy should be reviewed within one year of any legislative changes to HB 1960 or related stat
guidance, and at least once every three years, and updated as needed. I
Appendix A - Annual Distribution Worksheet
Grant County - Local Investment Distribution Grant Program
Distribution Worksheet - Tax Year Grant Year
1. Grant Allocation from Commerce: $
2. Prior -Year Local Levy Summary:
List of local taxing districts and prior -year levies (excluding state levies):
District Name
District Type
Prior -Year
Levy
Levy
Share
Grant
Amount ($)
Grant County Current Expense I
County
Grant County Road District I
County Road
City of: I
City/Town
City of: I
City/Town
School District No.: (Excess)
School -
Excess
Fire District No.:
I Fire/EMS
Library District:
I Library
Hospital District:
I Hospital
Port District:
I Port
Other District:
I Other
TOTAL:
1100.00%
G
3. Calculations:
• A. Total Local Levy Base = sum of all Prior -Year Levy Amounts.
• B. Levy Share (%) = District Levy Amount -. Total Local Levy Base.
• C. Grant Amount ($) = Levy Share x G.
Prepared by: I Date:
Reviewed by: - Date:
101
This template is intended for internal use and may be modified to reflect Grant County's specific financial systems and reporting formats.
Appendix B — Urban Resolution
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A Resolution adopting a Local Investment Distribution Grant program implementation policy for Grant County.
WHEREAS, Grant County has demonstrated leadership in renewable energy policy through adoption of Grant
County Code Section 23.08.357 (Solar Energy Facility Ordinance), establishing comprehensive standards for
the siting and operation of solar energy facilities; and
WHEREAS, Grant County's proactive permitting and environmental review processes have positioned the
County to host multiple utility -scale renewable energy projects, supporting Washington State's clean energy
goals; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature enacted Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 (HB
1960), creating a Local Investment Distribution Grant Program administered by the Department of Commerce
and funded from state renewable energy excise tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, Grant County is eligible to receive Local Investment Distribution Grant Program funds because it
hosts qualifying renewable energy projects that submitted completed State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
applications by November 2025, as documented on the Washington State Department of Commerce approved
list dated December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Commerce SEPA list identifies six (6) utility -scale renewable energy projects in Grant County
totaling 1,300 megawatts of solar capacity and 840 megawatts of battery storage capacity: Appledale Energy
Center, Dry Falls Solar Project, Quincy Solar, Quincy Valley Solar, Record Energy Center, and Royal Slope;
and
WHEREAS, E3SHI3 1960 requires that counties receiving Local Investment Distribution Grant Program funds
distribute those funds to local taxing districts within the county in proportion to each district's relative share of
the local propertytax levy, unless the countyis considered a "rural county" and elects to retain thefull amount;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners desires to implement a clear and transparent procedure for
receiving, accounting for, and distributing such funds consistent with existing property tax practices;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GRANT
COUNTY, WASHINGTON, THAT■
1. Policy Adoption. The Board hereby adopts the document titled "Grant County Treasurer's Off ice — Local
Investment Distribution Grant Program Implementation Policy and Procedures," attached hereto as
Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference, as the County's official policy for implementation
of the Local Investment Distribution Grant Program.
2. Distribution Method. Grant County shall utilize the Standard Distribution Method described in Exhibit A.,
under which:
a. The County Treasurer will distribute Grant Allocation funds to local taxing districts within
Grant County based on each district's relative share of the prior -year local property tax levy,
excluding state levies; and
b. The Treasurer will perform the calculations and distributions annually, using certified levy
data provided by the County Auditor/Finance.
3. Rural County Option. To the extent Grant County qualifies as a "Rural County" under state law, the
Board does not elect at this time to retain 100 percent of Local Investment Distribution Grant Program
funds. Instead, such funds shall be distributed according to Section 2 of this Resolution and Exhibit A.
4. Delegation to Treasurer and Auditor. The Board directs the County Treasurer and County
Auditor/Finance to implement this policy, including preparation of the annual distribution worksheet
attached as Appendix A to Exhibit A, and to maintain appropriate records for audit and public
transparency.
5. Consistengy- with Existing Policy,. This policy implements revenue distribution requirements understate
law and complements the County's existing renewable energy regulatory framework established under
Grant County Code Section 23.08.357.
6. Review and Amendment. The Board may review and amend this Resolution and the attached policy at
any time. If Grant County later determines it no longer qualifies as a Rural County or if the Board
determines that the Standard Distribution Method best serves the County's interests, the Board may
adopt a superseding resolution implementing the Standard Distribution Method.
6. Effective Date. This Resolution is effective upon adoption and applies to all Local Investment
Distribution Grant Program allocations received on or after that date, unless amended or rescinded by
subsequent Board action.
PASSED by the Board of County Commissioners in regular session at Ephrata, Washington, by the following
vote, then signed by its membership and attested to by its Clerk in authorization of such passage this dav
of 2026.
DATED this day of
Igo IN •
IT=
I 1 :4
I Owl Is] I I N 111111wl I I I
A Resolution adopting a Local Investment Distribution Grant program implementation policy for Grant County.
WHEREAS, Grant County has demonstrated leadership in renewable energy policy through adoption of Grant
County Code Section 23.08.357 (Solar Energy Facility Ordinance), establishing comprehensive standards for
the siting and operation of solar energy facilities; and
WHEREAS, Grant County's proactive permitting and environmental review processes have positioned the
County to host multiple utility -scale renewable energy projects, supporting Washington State's clean energy
goals; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature enacted Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 (HB
1960), creating a Local Investment Distribution Grant Program administered by the Department of Commerce
and funded from state renewable energy excise tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, Grant County is eligible to receive Local Investment Distribution Grant Program funds because it
hosts qualifying renewable energy projects that submitted completed State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
applications by November 2025, as documented on the Washington State Department of Commerce approved
list dated December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Commerce SEPA list identifies six (6) utility -scale renewable energy projects in Grant County
totaling 1,300 megawatts of solar capacity and 840 megawatts of battery storage capacity: Appledale Energy
Center, Dry Falls Solar Project, Quincy Solar, Quincy Valley Solar, Record Energy Center, and Royal Slope;
and
WHEREAS, HB 1960 provides that counties qualifying as "Rural Counties" may elect to retain 100 percent of
their Local Investment Distribution Grant Program allocation instead of distributing f unds to local taxing districts
by levy share; and
WHEREAS, Grant County meets the statutory definition of a rural county; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds it in the best interest of the County and its residents to
exercise the Rural County Option so that Local Investment Distribution Grant funds may be directed through
the County budget process to address infrastructure needs, emergency response capacity, planning and
permitting workload, and other community impacts and benefits associated with renewable energy
development; and
WHEREAS, retaining Local Investment Distribution Grant funds at the County level will enable strategic
investment in project -area roads, public safety capacity, and mitigation measures that benefit all Grant County
residents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GRANT
COUNTY, WASHINGTON, THAT:
1. Policy Adoption. The Board adopts the "Grant County Treasurer's Office -Local Investment Distribution
Grant Program Implementation Policy and Procedures," attached as Exhibit A, as the County's
implementation policy, including the Rural County Option procedure described therein.
2. Exercise of Rural County Option. Pursuant to HB 1960, Grant County hereby elects to retain 100
percent of its Local Investment Distribution Grant Program allocations. The County Treasurer shall
deposit such funds into Fund 170, and the Board shall appropriate them through the County's budget
process.
3. Use of Funds. Local Investment Distribution Grant funds retained under this Resolution shall be
programmed to support:
a. Road maintenance, improvements, and reconstruction in areas impacted by renewable
energy project construction and operation; and
b. Emergency response, fire protection, and law enforcement capacity related to renewable
energy facilities; and
c. Planning, permitting, inspection, and compliance staff and resources; and
d. Archaeological, cultural, and environmental mitigation projects; and
e. Community benefit projects and infrastructure improvements in areas hosting renewable
energy projects; and
f. Other uses reasonably related to renewable energy siting, operation, and community
impacts, consistent with state law and County budget policy.
4. Annual Budgeting and Reporting. The County Treasurer and Auditor/Finance shall:
a. Report Local Investment Distribution Grant allocations to the Board annually as part of thd
budget process; and
b. Prepare an annual summary of Grant Allocations received, appropriations made, and
expenditures from Local Investment Distribution Grant funds; and
c. Maintain supporting documentation for audit review and public transparency.
5. Consistency with Existing Policy. This policy implements revenue distribution requirements understate
law and complements the County's existing renewable energy regulatory framework established under
Grant County Code Section 23.08.357.
6. Review and Amendment. The Board may review and amend this Resolution and the attached policy at
any time. If Grant County later determines it no longer qualifies as a Rural County or if the Board
determines that the Standard Distribution Method best serves the County's interests, the Board may
adopt a superseding resolution implementing the Standard Distribution Method.
7. Effective Date. This Resolution is effective upon adoption and applies to all Local Investment
Distribution Grant Program allocations received on or after that date, unless amended or rescinded by
subsequent Board action.
PASSE® by the Board of County Commissioners in regular session at Ephrata, Washington, by the following
vote, then signed by its membership and attested to by its Clerk in authorization of such passage this day
of 2026.
DATED this day of
U1199mv
..2026.
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Yea Nay Abstain GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON
El El 0 Kevin Burgess, Chair
❑ D 0 Rob Jones, Vice -Chair
F-1 El 0 Cindy Carter, Member
Appendix D — SEPA Applications as of November 2025
F-. it