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Committee holds agricultural lease resolution amid concerns about six-year term and exit provisions
Summary
The committee held Resolution 22,013, which would award a six-year agricultural lease and term-and-supply contract to T. Bruce Mershon for county park land, after legislators voiced concerns about the lease duration and how the county could exit the agreement if future development were needed.
The Land Use Committee considered Resolution 22,013, recommending a six-year term-and-supply agricultural lease (RFP 25-020) to T. Bruce Mershon of Buckner, Missouri for farming county park land (47 acres at the Little Blue Trace McKeown property; 136 acres of hay at Monkey Mountain). Tina Spalo, Parks Plus Rec Department, said 26 notifications were sent and only one response was received; annual lease payments were stated as $3,850 for Little Blue Trace McKeown and $6,875 for Monkey Mountain.
Several legislators raised concerns about the six-year term on county-owned land and whether that would block potential future county uses, including large events or development. Legislator Pate said she was “concerned about the 6 year term because this is county owned property” and asked whether the contract would prevent county building on the site. Spalo replied there is a termination/out clause and staff could negotiate relocation of the farmer to other park land if necessary; she said there is typically a 45‑day option at the end of each year to cancel for nonperformance and staff offered to review termination language and report back.
Whitney Miller (county staff) offered to review the termination provisions and report back next week. Given the outstanding questions about exit language and future development flexibility, a motion was made and the committee voted to hold Resolution 22,013 pending staff review.
Background: The resolution would award the agricultural lease via request for proposal 25-020 to the named farmer for use of county park land; staff argued the leases produce revenue and reduce maintenance burdens on underused parks acreage.
