Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agricultural Leases topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks committee approves agricultural leases on county land
Summary
The Parks Department requested authorization to enter into agricultural lease agreements and amendments for roughly 700 acres of county-managed agricultural land; the committee recommended adoption of the leases.
The Milwaukee County Parks Department asked the committee to authorize agricultural lease agreements and amendments for multiple parcels of county-managed agricultural land on April 8. Deputy Director Jim Tarantino said the county manages about 700 acres used for crops and hay, much of it on flood-prone land along local creeks and rivers. The department charges per-parcel rates and leases parcels to area farmers to maintain open land and control invasive species.
Tarantino described three lease changes brought forward for approval: one parcel of approximately 14.83 acres under a three-year term; a second lessee taking on multiple parcels increasing to 56 acres under a three-year term; and an amendment to an existing lease for Joseph Holterman (additional acreage placed on a two-year term to align with other leases). Tarantino provided annual rent figures for the affected leases during the presentation.
A motion by Supervisor Taylor (District 17) recommended adoption of the item. The committee voted; the clerk recorded the vote as 4 ayes, 0 nos on the roll call. The deputy director said amendments were technical and intended to improve ease of farming scattered parcels.
Why it matters: County agricultural leases support land stewardship objectives on flood-prone or marginal parcels and generate rental revenue while preserving open land and controlling invasive plants.
Committee action: Motion recommended for adoption (recorded on the roll call as 4 ayes, 0 nos).
