Resident asks commissioners to require notice and disclosure of agricultural leases; board takes proposal under advisement

Brad Simone, who identified himself as representing Eastern Howard County, presented a drafted ordinance he said would require notice and disclosure of agricultural land lease agreements to promote public transparency and inform land‑use planning.

Simone read from his draft and highlighted a waiver clause from one lease that he said acknowledged potential nuisances — "visual impacts, possible increased noise levels, possible glare" — and required owners to waive their rights to object to such nuisances. He said neighbors who would live adjacent to projects had no opportunity to object before leases were signed.

"The purpose of this ordinance is to promote public transparency, inform land use planning, and governmental awareness by requiring notification disclosure of agricultural land lease agreements within Howard County," Simone said. He emphasized the draft is intended "to regulate notice and disclosure only and shall not be construed to regulate lease terms, prohibit lawful leases, or... private contractual rights."

Commissioners thanked Simone for the submission and discussed next steps. One commissioner said the county did not see many underlying leases and that the county’s attorney (Alan, as named in discussion) would review the legalities. The board moved and voted to "take this under advisement" so staff and the county attorney can examine the proposed ordinance, how it would be implemented, and whether the county has authority to require such disclosures prior to execution of leases.

Commissioners and public commenters also connected the ordinance discussion to ongoing concerns about a local project (Ranger Solar), where speakers raised questions about lease language, monitoring, and whether fence installation constitutes construction. Simone said he would provide a redacted lease copy to the county for review.

The immediate outcome: the board agreed to review the written proposal and asked staff and legal counsel to report back; no ordinance or regulatory action was adopted at the meeting.