County Panel Backs Outside Law Firm at $200 to $400 an Hour for Solar, Wind Rules

Montgomery County Board Development & Personnel Committee Meeting | June 1, 2026

Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board Development & Personnel Committee on June 1 recommended approval of an engagement agreement with the law firm Heyl Royster to review the county’s wind and solar ordinances, at an hourly rate ranging from $200 to $400 with no retainer required. Attorney Andrew Keyt, appearing virtually, offered to furnish the county with draft model solar and wind ordinances based on the most recent legislation.

Heyl Royster Engagement Agreement Key Points:

• The proposed agreement provides services at an hourly rate ranging from $200 to $400, with no retainer required.
• The agreement was submitted to State’s Attorney Brian Shaw, who attended the meeting.
• Keyt offered to furnish the county with draft model solar and wind ordinances based on the most recent legislation.
• Motion by Russ Beason, seconded by Chris Daniels; all in favor, motion carried. The recommendation moves to the full County Board.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — The Montgomery County Board Development & Personnel Committee on Monday, June 1, 2026, recommended approval of an engagement agreement bringing in the law firm Heyl Royster to review the county’s wind and solar ordinances, at an hourly rate ranging from $200 to $400 with no retainer required.

The committee met at 5:00 p.m. in the County Board Room on the second floor of the Historic Courthouse, #1 Courthouse Square, Hillsboro. Committee Chair Chad Ruppert led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Ruppert, Russ Beason, Jeremy Jones and Chris Daniels were present; Doug Donaldson was absent. No one spoke during public comments.

Attorney Andrew Keyt, who attended virtually, described the proposed agreement to the committee. The agreement had been submitted to State’s Attorney Brian Shaw, who was present at the meeting. Under its terms as recorded in the minutes, the firm would provide services at an hourly rate ranging from $200 to $400, and no retainer would be required.

Keyt also offered to furnish the county with draft model solar and wind ordinances based on the most recent legislation.

Beason moved to recommend approval of the engagement agreement with Heyl Royster, seconded by Daniels. All were in favor and the motion carried.

A Recommendation, Not a Contract

The Development & Personnel Committee does not enter into agreements on the county’s behalf. The vote forwards the engagement agreement to the full Montgomery County Board with a recommendation; the agreement is not in force unless and until the full board approves it.

The minutes do not record a not-to-exceed amount, a total estimated cost, a term length, or a scope-of-work document for the engagement. They do not state how the county arrived at Heyl Royster, whether other firms were considered, or what specifically in the county’s existing wind and solar ordinances prompted the review. No discussion or questions from committee members on the item are reflected in the record.

Wind and Solar on the County’s Plate

The engagement lands as renewable energy siting occupies a growing share of the committee’s agenda. At the same June 1 meeting, the committee took up two other renewable-energy items: an update on the Shoals Renewables project, including the county’s Code of Conduct Resolution passed by the County Board in May, and an update on Elm Lawn Solar, where a public hearing scheduled for May 27 had been cancelled after Litchfield decided to exercise its supervisory authority over the project.

Keyt’s offer of draft model ordinances “based on the most recent legislation” is the only reference in the minutes to the statutory backdrop. The minutes do not identify the legislation in question, and the county’s current wind and solar ordinances are not described.

The committee’s business closed with a motion to pay the bills by Beason, seconded by Jones, which carried, and a motion to adjourn by Daniels, seconded by Jones, which also carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Minutes were submitted by acting secretary Mike Plunkett, as deputized by County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.