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Van Buren supervisors weigh county farm’s future, require retention of tower and storage if land sold
Summary
The board discussed lease options for the county farm (lease ends Feb. 28, 2025), possible sale of acreage due to financial concerns, and a geotechnical inquiry into a potential quarry; EMA Coordinator said the county must retain the communications tower, access point and storage building if the land is sold.
Van Buren County supervisors on July 8 discussed whether to continue leasing the county farm, seek bids, or sell part or all of the acreage amid financial concerns, and authorized preliminary geotechnical inquiry into quarry potential.
County Auditor Lisa Plecker said the county farm lease ends Feb. 28, 2025, and she will ask the county attorney to serve the notice required by Iowa Code 562.7 to the current tenant by Sept. 1, 2024. The board discussed options for requesting bids in January for a one-year or multi-year lease or considering sale of acreage to address financial pressures.
EMA Coordinator Max Harlan reminded supervisors that the county must retain ownership of the communications tower, its point of access and the county storage building if the farm ground is sold. County Engineer Ryne Thornburg said he had contacted Geotechnics of Quincy, Illinois, about drilling to assess the possibility of a county quarry site; no drilling or contract decision was recorded at the meeting.
The board tabled further decisions for a future meeting, directing staff to complete statutory notice and gather technical information before any formal sale or lease solicitation.
