Des Moines County to seek sealed bids for former public health building; closed session to set minimum price

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors agreed Sept. 2 to pursue a sealed‑bid sale of the county’s former public health building and to hold a brief closed session next week to set a minimum bid before advertising the property.

At a work session on the property-transfer process, county counsel summarized the statutory steps for disposing of county real property: adopt a proposal resolution, publish notice, hold a public hearing at a regular meeting and then finalize the sale by resolution. Board members discussed options including sealed bids, a sheriff’s sale, a real-estate listing or an auction; they settled on sealed bids as the simplest approach that gives all bidders “an even chance,” according to Supervisor Tom Broker.

“Sealed bid because everybody’s got even chance across the board,” Broker said during the discussion. Staff suggested including a minimum or “floor” price established in closed session so the board would not be faced with an unexpected low bid when votes are taken in public.

The board asked staff to prepare a resolution that will set the overall process and timeline. The plan discussed: publish a 30‑day bid window, schedule two to three open‑house dates during that period so prospective buyers can tour the building, and allow time for the auditor’s office to process bid paperwork before opening.

The board also discussed logistics for selling or auctioning furnishings and contents and considered the potential to sell adjacent parcels separately. Staff said some prior county online sales exceeded expectations for clearing properties and recommended that approach for certain lots.

Next steps: staff will prepare the resolution and notice language, set the closed session time for supervisors to establish a minimum bid, and publish the bid period with scheduled open houses.