Board of Supervisors Tues Mtg 08-04-26 · FLASHES Microgrid Boundary: Option B4 or Option B5

The County of Lake Board of Supervisors held a meeting on August 4, 2026, to discuss the FLASHES microgrid pre-development project, specifically choosing between two proposed microgrid boundary options, B4 and B5. The discussion focused on the financial viability, grant funding, and project scope, with B4 including the Lucern area and B5 excluding it. Board members debated the trade-offs between a larger boundary with higher costs and a smaller, more financially conservative option. The project is funded by grants covering pre-development costs, with no immediate fiscal impact to the county, though the total project cost is preliminarily estimated between $150 million and $180 million, with potential federal cost-sharing. The board gave consensus direction to start with the smaller B5 boundary but to aim to expand the microgrid to include Lucern if feasible. Public comments emphasized the need for a comprehensive county energy policy before proceeding further, but the board agreed to move forward with the feasibility study to inform future decisions. No formal vote was recorded, but clear policy direction was provided to staff and the project team.