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Supervisors clear path to pursue quick-claim deed for small landlocked county parcel
Summary
The board unanimously agreed to begin a public-hearing and quick-claim deed process after staff and presenters explained a small county-owned sliver of land is landlocked and lacks recorded transfers since the 1860s; staff will schedule a public hearing so members of the public can contest ownership.
Winneshiek County supervisors voted unanimously to begin a public-hearing and quick-claim deed process to clear title on a small county parcel described at the meeting as landlocked and without recorded ownership transfers since the 19th century.
"We have a piece that the county owns that conjoined the office. It's completely landlocked," the chair said, explaining the property is not on the tax rolls and appears to have no clear modern owner. Presenters described historical records back to the 1860s and urged the board to start the quiet-title process to resolve potential liability and allow the neighboring occupant to tidy boundaries.
A county staff member said the office's view is there is no clear ownership but recommended initiating the quick-claim deed process with a public hearing, letting the public raise objections if any exist. "We just wanted to … make sure that you're okay with proceeding," staff told the board.
A motion to proceed with the public hearing and deed process was made and seconded; the chair called for aye votes and declared the motion carried unanimously. Staff estimated a month to prepare the legal notice and deed paperwork and will notify the requestors when the public hearing is scheduled.
Next steps: staff will prepare the public-hearing notice, publish required notices, and return with deed paperwork for the board to consider after the hearing.
