County accepts $332-per-acre bid for county farm, includes development out clause

Peoria County approved awarding the county-owned farm to the highest bidder, Richard Shane, after a board member reported three responses to the bid invitation. The winning bid was $332 per acre, “just a shade under works out to be a shade under $44,000 a year,” a presenter said. The board approved the award unanimously.

The decision matters because the county’s current rent was $321 per acre; the higher bid increases annual revenue and locks in the lessee for the upcoming contract period. The board also instructed staff to write an out clause into the lease to preserve the county’s ability to pursue development opportunities on the property if those arise.

During discussion a commissioner asked whether the lease would include an out clause in the event the county decides to sell or develop the property; the presenter said such language will be included and that staff will work with attorney Jenny on the final wording. The presenter also said county planning work on a county-farm master plan is underway, funded in part by allocations from the Clean Energy Jobs Act tied to closure work at the Edwards Power Plant.

The motion to approve the award passed unanimously. The board did not record roll-call votes in the transcript. The county indicated it will return with lease language and the completed master-plan materials at a future meeting.