Committee hears exploratory talks to sell county land for a private daycare near Neighbors facility

At the Dec. 18 Dunn County Neighbors committee meeting, staff outlined exploratory discussions about selling roughly two acres in front of the East Building for a private daycare facility. Jenna said the prospective buyer is a local family currently running an in-home daycare who is looking to expand; there is not yet an offer or purchase agreement.

Carmen, who has been involved in the facilities conversations, said the county is working to ensure any development would be safe and not visually intrusive for residents. She warned the proposal is still in an exploratory phase and emphasized that “any sort of actual agreements to selling would come back to that committee, would go to executive, would go to the full board.”

Committee members raised specific concerns about a nearby retention pond and the potential for increased traffic. Carmen said fencing and other safety measures have been discussed to protect residents near the southeast side of the building. Staff also said they have engaged the highway commissioner and the county’s economic development director to evaluate traffic and site feasibility.

Jenna said the facilities committee has been reviewing options and that the proposal is likely to return to facilities at least twice before any decision is made. No price or formal offer has been set; staff said they would wait for a letter of interest or purchase agreement to proceed with formal review.

The committee did not take any formal action on the land sale during the meeting; members asked staff to continue planning and to bring further information back to the facilities committee.