Linn County commissioners voted to issue a request for proposals for a one-year lease on 9310 Thomas Road, a 40.52-acre parcel associated with the county airport, and discussed the airport's failing lights and the tax consequences of leasing county land.

The item was introduced by Jesse (role not specified), who reported that "out of 40 lights, we only have 9 that are currently working, 7 with no antenna," and said contractors suspect battery and antenna problems. Commissioners approved running the RFP for two weeks and asked for bids by Feb. 10 with a contract to be in place by Feb. 28; the motion to publish the RFP for a one-year lease passed with recorded ayes.

The discussion moved from maintenance to finances. Jesse presented a spreadsheet from the appraiser and tax offices showing the county pays about $48,000 in taxes on various leased parcels and that roughly $38,000 of that total was attributable to the airport parcel. Commissioners discussed options the county staff had identified: surveying and splitting acreage so taxes apply only to the leased portion, de-annexing portions that are used for agriculture, or leaving ground fallow and incurring maintenance costs. Jesse said surveying the parcels could reduce the taxable acreage; staff noted the airport currently has only about 0.6 acres actively leased for commercial use while the county is taxed on a larger acreage.

Commissioners also discussed timing and consistency of lease terms countywide. Jesse asked for permission to align the 9310 Thomas Road lease terms with other county land leases; staff proposed putting that parcel on a one-year lease so other leases could be moved to a two-year rotation. The commission approved issuing the RFP as proposed.

Next steps: staff will troubleshoot airport lighting once weather permits, produce cost estimates for light repairs, publish the RFP for 9310 Thomas Road, and return with the bids and survey options.