Randall County is inching toward granting tax abatements to a wind energy company.

County commissioners approved a reinvestment zone Tuesday that will cover a portion of the southwest corner of Randall County.

The reinvestment zone will now allow the county to begin negotiations on exactly what type of tax abatements Chermac Energy Corp. can receive for its 480-megawatt project.

"That's probably going to be the most difficult part," said Assistant Criminal District Attorney Richard Gore. "They'll want to pay as few taxes as possible. ... Somewhere in between we'll reach a happy median more than likely."

Notices were sent out to five other taxing entities, but abatements would only affect Randall County taxes. While no specific abatements have been mentioned, most counties grant tax abatements on a sliding scale so a company would not have to pay a certain percentage of its property taxes for a set number of years. All abatements are required to expire after 10 years, but the reinvestment zone would not have a time limit.

According to guidelines for the zone, a project must add at least $150,000 to the tax rolls and be a positive net economic benefit to the county of at least $250,000.

Chermac Energy Corp. President Jamie McAlpine said previously his project will generate 480 megawatts of energy, a majority of it within Randall County. During construction, the project will add 120 jobs and 15 to 20 jobs when the project is online, McAlpine had said.

In other business, commissioners voted to increase salaries for themselves and other Randall County elected officials.

Randall County Auditor Karon Kantor said the salary increases reflect a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment.

Randall County salaries are actually based on a percentage of what Randall County Judge Ernie Houdashell earns. Houdashell received a new salary of $78,403. Because of the way the salaries are structured, Houdashell has to receive an increase for other elected officials to receive a salary increase.

Commissioners approved the raises unanimously, but the budget still must be approved before the raises are set in stone, Houdashell said. The budget is typically passed in late August.

Commissioners approved the raises, but have yet to sign off on raises for employees. Commissioner Buddy DeFord said previously employees would receive the same percentage increase.