The siblings of Darwin Marker were present at this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting in an attempt to have some of their questions answered and hopefully put closure on an issue that has cost them the potential sale by the siblings of their family acreage.
“We’ve been trying to sell the home farm for the last five to six years now,” said Brian Marker of the property next to the White Fox in Woolstock Township. “We received an offer from Iowa Select, and met with the neighboring property owners to tell them about it and that it would be hog confinement units built there. Last fall, we settled on a price and were set to close the deal last month. Now, Iowa Select has backed out of the deal.”
At the heart of the issue is a letter that was sent sharing concerns about the site for a confinement operation. According to Supervisor Karl Helgevold, Sandy McGrath (Zoning Administrator) sent up a red flag. She didn’t feel it was the best location for that purpose, citing its close proximity to the White Fox as the primary problem. Since Iowa Select had already informed the Markers that any confrontation or problem would mean they would pull out of the deal, they did just that. It has left the family with more questions than answers.
They contend that it was never on an agenda, never recorded in the Board minutes, was never up for discussion and had no public notice published ahead of time. “What was the process, because it was wrong,” said Brian. “How are you going to make that right?” Supervisor Dean Kluss said that the map they received at the time, showing the flood zone for the White Fox, concerned him. “I thought we should express that concern of how close it was. I just think there are better locations.” Helgevold agreed, adding “I don’t feel it’s the best property.”
Helgevold also emphasized it was meant to be a ‘concerns only’ letter that the family received. Kluss also pointed out something about the permit process that has become a bone of contention all over the area and even the state. “Iowa Select, or whoever it may be, is the driving force,” said Kluss. “If they pass the point requirement of the master matrix, there’s nothing we can do. They can build it.” The Board offered their deep apologies for what happened, and decided to close the matter for now and seek legal advice.
In other agenda items, a public hearing was held on entering into a General Obligation (GO) Loan agreement for a total of $1.5 million. $160,000 of that will be over four years for purchase of Sheriff Department vehicles, with the remainder and largest portion for Capital Improvements. Along with that, County Treasurer Peggy Schulttenhofer presented the proposals from banks for carrying the tax-exempt loan. “I’ve worked with both before, and I’m fine with either one,” said the Treasurer. It was awarded to First Citizen’s National Bank for a rate of 2.85 percent.
“My belief is that this is how we would get the lowest interest rate,” said Kluss. “We gave the banks the same information, telling them we would likely not take out the entire amount up front. I’m comfortable with those rates.”
Following another public hearing, a resolution was approved for the FYE2021 Maximum Property Tax Dollars. The reason for this action was due to recent legislation caused by the urban areas of the state growing so quickly. General Basic/General Supplemental will be up two percent in revenue, while Rural Services will show a decrease of 3.85 percent. Along with that, the public hearing to present and approve the FY20-21 budget was set for March 16 at 10 a.m.
The Board, in their role as drainage district trustees, then took up the bid letting for a project in DD#117. According to Kluss, the total cost quoted to landowners at an earlier meeting was just over $175,000. However, only one bid was received and it was for $375,175 from Municipal Pipe & Tool of Hudson, Iowa. Lee Valentine of Clapsaddle-Garber Associates, the project engineer, was present for the bid opening. An option was brought up of changing the last 700 feet to an open ditch to cut some cost. The Board approved a motion to reject the bid, and will meet yet again with landowners on March 9 to explore options.
In other action the Board:
-set a public hearing for March 30 at 10 a.m. to approved the form of contract and bid, and proceed to contract signing, for the Courthouse and Professional Building roof projects. Bids are due back on March 24 and will be reviewed the following day;
-received a county health insurance update and heard the renewal numbers. It shows a decrease in the rate, which it was pointed out is not guaranteed for next year;
-received the January revenue report from the Wright County Sheriff;
-approved tax abatements totaling $675.12 for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “They refuse to pay the DD assessment that was placed on lands they buy, so it goes to all the other landowners in the district to pick it up,” said Kluss. “It needs to be changed.”
