Adair County supervisors approve vacation of part of 115th Street after divided vote

The Adair County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on April 22 to vacate and close a portion of 115th Street after a public hearing on the petition to abandon the county right-of-way.

The board opened the hearing at 9:15 a.m., heard comments from multiple residents who raised concerns about road safety, drainage, maintenance responsibilities and continued public use for farm access, deliveries and emergency services, and closed the hearing at 9:42 a.m.

Why it matters: Vacating a county road transfers responsibility and changes access rights for landowners and the public; the decision responded to competing concerns about long-term maintenance costs and local access.

During debate, Supervisor Hoadley said she had received significant feedback from constituents and cited concerns raised by postal carriers and school officials, urging that the county consider improving the road rather than vacating it. Supervisor Walker said he opposed additional expenditures to maintain or gravel extra roadway mileage. Supervisor Baier noted that many past vacations have involved dead-end roads and said vacating could foreclose the option to improve the route in the future. Supervisors Wedemeyer and Christoffersen favored vacating the road, citing cost and long-term maintenance responsibilities.

The board then moved to adopt Resolution #2026-31 ordering the identified segment of 115th Street vacated and closed. The roll call vote was Christoffersen, aye; Wedemeyer, aye; Baier, nay; Hoadley, nay; Walker, aye. The motion carried 3-2.

The resolution record states the public hearing followed required notice. The meeting record does not specify an effective date for the vacation beyond adoption of the resolution.

The board did not take further action on improvements to the roadway at the meeting.