Crow Wing County approves $150,000 purchase of Havel parcel to create landfill buffer

The Crow Wing County Board on Oct. 28 approved purchasing a 7.7-acre parcel known as the Havel property for the county—landfill buffer for $150,000, using money from the landfill enterprise fund.

County staff told the board the $150,000 price is the owner——20——20—20—20—ask and that the county will pay from the landfill enterprise fund, which is financed by tipping fees. Staff said roughly $120,000 previously budgeted for a landfill boiler project will be deferred and reallocated to this purchase; the county characterized the expenditure as coming from user fees rather than levy dollars.

Commissioners expressed concern about the sale price, asking why the county was paying substantially more than the parcel——20——20—————s taxable valuation and whether the purchase would set a new market benchmark for nearby properties. A land services speaker responded that the transaction is not an arm————————s-length sale for market-value purposes because the property is relatively more valuable to the county as a buffer around landfill infrastructure.

County and Solid Waste Committee members argued the parcel provides a protective buffer for the recently upgraded recycling facility and landfill operations; they said the buffer could reduce future complaints about odors or well contamination that could endanger operations or require remediation. The board approved the purchase as part of a combined motion to adopt consent items 5.8 and 5.9.

No individual vote tally by name was recorded in the meeting minutes; the board approved the motion by voice vote.