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Committee recommends agricultural leases for county land; farmers express concern about notice and planned land restoration
Summary
Milwaukee County Parks requested authorization to enter into agricultural leases covering county-owned farmland; the committee recommended adoption of seven proposed leases totaling about $22,000, while supervisors and farmers raised concerns about notice and planned conversion of some parcels to natural area via a climate mitigation grant.
The Milwaukee County Committee on Parks and Culture recommended for adoption a proposal from Milwaukee County Parks to enter into agricultural lease agreements with individual farmers for county-managed farmland.
Robert Singlaub, contracts manager for Milwaukee County Parks, told the committee Parks manages about 708 acres of agricultural land, mostly along Oak Creek, Ryan Creek and the Root River, and presented seven lease offers with terms of three years each. He said the current set of proposed leases would generate roughly $22,000 in county revenue, subject to final negotiation. Singlaub noted one parcel donated by the Frederick family carries a donor agreement that keeps the rent at $100 per year "in perpetuity." The department said lease rates were last adjusted in 2019 and that county per-acre rates are lower than some neighboring counties because soils and flood-prone locations reduce productivity.
Several supervisors and constituents raised concerns about process and notice. Supervisor Logsdon relayed a farmer's question about whether Joseph Holterman was included in renewals; staff confirmed Holterman's lease remains valid, that the department had discovered an overcharge and will pursue a rent credit or compensation, and that a parcel increase was proposed. Peter Brett, director of operations, said a county resolution (action 24652) authorized pursuit of climate-action work with partner agencies and that federal funding for climate mitigation will lead Parks to convert roughly 90.4 acres to wetland/natural mitigation projects. Brett said the county has authority to change land use for those parcels as part of the funded climate work.
Farmers and supervisors urged better advance notice. Staff said notices went out in October for leases ending Dec. 31; supervisors said that short window was insufficient for farmers who already invested in pre-season work and requested at least six months’ notice for future transitions. Supervisor Cogs Jones moved the item for adoption and the committee recommended Item 2 for adoption by a 7–0 vote.
The committee directed Parks to work with affected tenants on compensation where appropriate, to provide clearer advance notice for lease nonrenewals, and to continue coordinating restoration plans where federal grant funding requires conversion of leased acreage.
