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Residents urge protection of farmland in Monmouth land swap; staff request reclassification of community development employees
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Summary
During public comment residents asked Polk County to protect farmland threatened by a proposed Monmouth land swap and urged a county hearing on HB 2647; staff requested reclassification of three community development employees effective May 1 with an estimated $7,000 annual budget impact.
Residents during the public‑comment period asked Polk County commissioners to protect farmland bordering a proposed Monmouth land swap and to hold a county public hearing if the city approves annexation.
Joan Bostrom, who gave her address as 14920 Ferns Corner Road in Monmouth, said her partner’s farm at 10995 Mistletoe Road is the only home directly impacted along the property line of the proposed land swap and urged the county to protect farmland rather than allow conversion to housing. “That’s our concern is how the county will protect farmland,” Bostrom said, and suggested developing the fairgrounds for low‑income housing because it already has sewer, water and major transportation access.
A second commenter, who identified himself at the start of his remarks as Mitch, raised concerns about HB 2647 (a bill relating to urban growth boundary procedures) and said that when constituent letters appear on Polk County commissioner letterhead it may create an appearance that the commissioners support the bill. “When it is appearing on Polk County commissioner’s state letterhead, it looks like you as county commissioners may support that,” he said, and asked the county to hold a public hearing so citizens can provide input.
Separately, staff requested reclassification of several community development employees. Manhocken, a county staff member, said the request would reclassify Ricky Mesa from assistant planner to associate planner; Sarah Bueller from office specialist to community development office supervisor (she has been working out of class); and change Kayla’s title from community development administrative services manager to administrative building official after she passed required certification. Manhocken said the changes would be effective May 1 and estimated an approximate budgetary impact of around $7,000 for a 12‑month period, including PERS contributions. Commissioners voiced support for retaining trained staff; the request was presented for approval but the transcript records discussion rather than a formal recorded vote on these reclassifications.
The board then moved on to other agenda items and later entered executive session to discuss labor negotiations.
