For the second month in a row, a green energy representative approached the Anson County Commissioners about placing solar panels at the wastewater treatment plant.

Tim Munson, of Cyclone Roofing, proposed placing a 700 kW solar array.

"This area hasn't been used for six years now," he said. "It doesn't cost the citizens anything.

He estimated the county could collect $5,000 in revenue each year for leasing the area to investors, who pay for the installation and maintenance of the panels. The investors sell the electricity generated to utilities.

Sometimes, counties can negotiate to buy or escalate the lease after investors have recouped their investment.

Last month, Tom Kepper of Greenfield Power asked commissioners to consider the feasibility of placing a 250 kW solar panel system at the plant.

"You might have to up the ante," Commissioner Harold Smith told Munson after commissioners mentioned this fact. No action was taken.

Sheriff gives annual report

Sheriff Tommy Allen presented his annual report to commissioners.

In 2009, the Sheriff's Office responded to 11,767 calls for service, a 10-percent increase from 2008. It made 223 drug arrests and busted 31 meth labs, the highest number in one county in the state.

The office issued 518 permits to purchase a handgun and 117 concealed weapon permits. The jail booked 1,919 people, 149 more than 2008.

While the jail's capacity is 60 people, the average daily population was 62. Some days the jail held as many as 80 inmates and never less than 46. Allen has mentioned in the past to commissioners the need for a new jail.

The 911 office handled 18,513 calls for service. All of the full-time dispatchers completed the state certification standards required by law, reducing Anson's liability exposure.

Radios were converted to an 800 MHz system in 2009. The county was awarded a $500,000 grant to use a Pictometry system, which creates aerial three-dimensional photographs of counties that can be used by law enforcement, the tax office and 911.

Allen said turnover has been manageable, partly due to the poor state of the economy as well as hiring freezes in areas like Union County. He maintains the deputies' salaries are not competitive.

Allen said the office had a good year.

"One reason we've had a good year is we've had good people in key positions," he said.

Other business

Commissioners approved a $391,604 request for software from Southern Software, Inc. for the Sheriff's Office and 911, including hardware Feb. 2. The license for the current provider's contract will expire in May. Allen said his office has "not been satisfied with their service at all" in his report and the company did not make a bid to renew the contract.

Commissioners approved a request by Larry Newton, Anson's tax assessor, to fill a vacant tax technician position.