Don't waste our tax dollars opposing Ten Mile Creek Solar Farm!
St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
Petition Against a Proposal to WASTE your tax dollars
Some St. Croix County Board supervisors are recommending that the county include $500,000 or more in the 2026 budget to intervene (fight) a proposed large solar project in the county. They are rallying other supervisors to support this proposal, suggesting that it won’t affect taxes.
This proposal would be to:
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Hire expensive lawyers and experts to intervene on behalf of the county with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, arguing against a proposed Xcel Energy large solar array in the county.
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The funding would come from “undesignated funds”, which are tax dollars previously collected and not spent. For most of us, this would be like a savings account. Make no mistake. These are your tax dollars. If we spend these dollars, they will be unavailable for other uses.
What would we get for this expenditure? All the experts tell us the same thing. The solar project is likely to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Wisconsin even if we do make large investments in hiring litigators to argue against this project. The PSCW is likely to approve of the project because solar energy is a proven resource to enhance the electric energy grid when combined with all other energy sources.
What do we know for sure? Federal funding for many programs supporting mental health services and support for Medicaid and SNAP will be cut as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. County staff has yet to fully understand the full impact to our residents because of these cuts, but we do know that we will not have the funding to help many of our neighbors in crisis. $500,000 could go a long way to help our county back-fill as the impact of the BBB strain local resources.
Act now by joining this petition. Send a strong message that you do not want to see your tax dollars wasted on this effort.
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St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
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[Your Name]
Petition to the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
Oppose Spending Taxpayer Dollars on Costly PSCW Interventions
We, the undersigned residents of St. Croix County respectfully petition our County Board to reject the use of taxpayer funds for hiring outside litigators to intervene in proceedings before the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW).
Our Concerns
Unnecessary Expense
Hiring private attorneys to intervene in PSCW cases can cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, with no guarantee of changing the Commission’s decision. We have many pressing needs—roads, public safety, schools, and health services—that should take priority over speculative litigation. With recent cuts in federal funding, we need to prioritize our tax dollars towards serving our neighbors.
Limited Influence
By law, the PSC has exclusive authority over large-scale utility projects (Wis. Stat. § 196.491). While counties may submit comments, testimony, or coordinate with the PSC’s environmental review process, expensive litigation rarely alters the outcome.
Better Use of Resources
Instead of pursuing adversarial legal strategies, the County could:
- Provide constructive input through the PSCW’s public participation process.
- Work collaboratively with developers to negotiate local benefits (such as road upgrades, tax stabilization agreements, or conservation easements).
- Invest saved funds into community priorities.
Fiscal Responsibility
Taxpayers expect the County Board to manage funds prudently. Spending scarce public resources on outside legal battles, where the county’s authority is limited, does not reflect sound financial stewardship.
Our Request
We urge the County Board to:
- Decline to allocate taxpayer money for hiring litigators to intervene in PSC cases at this time. Instead, focus on negotiations and the Joint Development Agreement.
- Pursue cost-effective engagement by submitting public comments, participating in hearings, and working with developers and state regulators through existing channels.
- Focus county funds on services and infrastructure that directly benefit all residents.