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Dallas County supervisors approve multiple rezones, road and energy agreements and tax abatements
Summary
On May 19, 2026, the Dallas County Board of Supervisors approved a series of votes including three rezones (Bushnell Acres, Frampton, Painted Prairie) on first reading, a geothermal rebate agreement with Afton Energy LLC, an amended opioid‑settlement resolution and a Drainage District No. 25 annexation; staff noted several ordinances will return for required readings next week.
The Dallas County Board of Supervisors on May 19 approved a package of land‑use actions, infrastructure plans and funding adjustments, including several rezoning measures, a developer‑funded bridge project, a geothermal rebate agreement and an amended opioid‑settlement resolution.
Board action: The board voted by voice to approve first‑reading ordinances for three rezones — Bushnell Acres (approximately 21 acres to RE‑1), Frampton (just under 20 acres to RE‑1) and Painted Prairie (about 36 acres to R‑1) — and agreed these ordinance items will return for subsequent readings next week, because county code requires three readings unless the board waives them. The board also adopted resolution 2026‑0066 to pursue a geothermal rebate and authorized the chair to sign a geothermal consultation and service agreement with Afton Energy LLC; adopted resolution 2026‑0067 approving final plans and specifications for bridge/overflow‑channel improvements near Boonville funded by the City of Van Meter under a developer agreement; approved resolution 2026‑0057 (amended) for opioid‑settlement project records; adopted resolution 2026‑0065 to abate property taxes for the Van Meter Community School District; and completed the annexation and classification for Drainage District Number 25 for a 34.61‑acre parcel.
Why it matters: The rezones, if ultimately adopted after the required readings, would allow smaller residential lots in areas the county’s current comprehensive plan identifies as suitable for development. Planning staff repeatedly noted the county is relying on the adopted comprehensive plan and its CSR (crop‑suitability rating) data from 1998 while a full comp‑plan update is underway, a point that drew public comment and requests for the county to use more recent soil data.
Details and speaker notes: Planning staff (Michelle) described the Bushnell Acres proposal as a concept for six lots and said lots will meet the three‑acre minimum at final plat. Opponent Josh McGill urged the board to use current CSR and soil surveys, saying more recent certified data shows CSR values in the mid‑to‑upper 80s and that approval would permanently convert productive farmland to housing. County planning staff (David) responded that the county must apply the adopted 1998 plan data until the comp‑plan update is complete and that staff will examine CSR methodology as part of the update.
On the geothermal item, staff said a prior rebate on another building was about $1,700,000 and estimated the secondary‑roads project rebate at roughly $500,000; the board approved the resolution and authorized the chair to sign the agreement with Afton Energy LLC.
On transportation, county roads presenter Al described two bridge projects on F91 near Boonville over the Raccoon River and an overflow channel; traffic will be maintained one lane at a time with temporary signals, but the Boonville bridge will be fully closed between Dec. 15 and March 15 for more extensive structural repairs. The board approved final plans and specifications and authorized project actions tied to a developer agreement with Van Meter.
Annexation and tax items: Agravia engineer Jacob Hagen explained the Drainage District No. 25 annexation request for tile that drains into District 25; no public objections were recorded and the annexation was adopted. A Van Meter Community School District representative said the district purchased a property July 30, 2024, and requested a tax abatement; the board adopted resolution 2026‑0065.
What’s next: Because the rezoning ordinances require three readings, the three rezones will return to the board’s agenda next week for additional readings or potential waivers. Staff indicated the county will continue the comprehensive plan update over the next 12–18 months, during which CSR methodology and mapping will be reviewed.
Votes at a glance: • Resolution 2026‑0066 (Afton geothermal rebate and agreement): motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion carried. • Resolution 2026‑0067 (360th Street / Raccoon River bridge projects—final plans/specs): motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion carried. • Resolution 2026‑0057 (amended opioid settlement resolution): motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion carried. Suzanne Hegarty, Dallas County health department director, said the amendment corrects dates and inserts the actual remaining fund balance and that "the project and the amount funded are not changing." • Resolution 2026‑0065 (Van Meter Community School District tax abatement): motion moved and seconded; voice vote, motion carried. • Drainage District No. 25 annexation and classification: public hearing held; motion to adopt annexation and classification moved and seconded; voice vote, motion carried. • Ordinances 2026‑009 (Bushnell Acres), 2026‑008 (Frampton), 2026‑007 (Painted Prairie): public hearings held; motions to adopt forwarded the ordinances for subsequent readings; voice votes carried. Staff reminded the board that ordinances require three readings and these items will return to next week's agenda.
Sources: Board meeting, Dallas County Board of Supervisors, May 19, 2026. Meeting presenters and speakers quoted in this story are identified in the meeting transcript.
