Gimme a break

County commissioners could take a first step Monday toward granting a tax abatement to wind power giant Duke Energy.

Commissioners will vote on creating a reinvestment zone to determine the boundaries of where the abatement would take affect. Gary Vest, Odessa Chamber of Commerce economic development director, said this step will have to be taken before an official abatement agreement is considered.

Duke is asking for a 10-year, 100 percent property tax abatement - to begin in 2010 - for phase 1B of the Notrees Windpower Project, which would place 11 wind turbines on a strip of land on the westernmost edge of Ector County. Vest said it's about $27 million worth of capital investment.

The majority of the proposed reinvestment zone stretches into Winkler County, where Duke has already placed 65 turbines, Vest said.

Commissioners will consider approving Ector County's portion of the zone.

The entire phase 1B of the project calls for 40 wind turbines, giving Ector County 28 percent of them. Duke plans to start construction on the phase during the first quarter of 2009.

Company officials expect the Notrees project to reach full commercial operation by the end of next year.

Duke spokesman Greg Efthimiou said the company is planning on creating up to 15 new salaried jobs, including contractors, to oversee phase 1B once it's completed at an annual payroll of $600,000. Average salaries range from $65,000 to $75,000.

Duke could also hire as many as 150 employees during the project's building phase for a total of $2.9 million in construction worker payroll.

Tax abatement guidelines require creation of at least 30 new jobs and a minimum investment of $2 million to qualify for a 10-year break.

A public hearing will be held before commissioners take their vote if anyone wants to speak on the pros or cons of creating a reinvestment zone.

Commissioners will also consider:

>> Accepting the donation of a 2004 Chevy Blazer from the city of Odessa to the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department.

>> Remodeling the commissioner's office for a new project manager.

>> Paying Sheriff's Office dispatchers from JAG grant monies due to a shortage of trained employees.

>> A contract for the new multipurpose building for the Juvenile Center.

>> Purchasing a police package Crown Victoria, a police package Impala four-door sedan, a crew cab three-quarter-ton long bed pickup and a Toyota Tundra pickup.

>> Modifying an operating agreement with Civigenics for jail management services.

>> An addendum to the county's master service agreement with Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Palmer Drug Abuse Program in Midland.

>> A contract change for IV-E legal to budget for an additional month.

>> Accepting a $27,154 contract for Tuberculosis Prevention and Control grant between the Ector County Health Department and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

>> Adopting a proposed job description for a code enforcement officer.

>> Moving $40 from office supplies to professional dues and fees.

>> Approving the accounts payable fund requirements report for November.

AT A GLANCE

>> What: County commissioners meeting.

>> When: 10 a.m. Monday.

>> Where: Ector County Administration Building Annex, 1010 E. Eighth St.