Commission tables Resolution 1‑2‑26, pausing proposed farm lease of airport property to Clint Diggs

The Henry County Commission on Feb. 17 moved to table Resolution 1‑2‑26, which would have approved a farm rental contract between Henry County and Clint Diggs for approximately 16 acres near the Henry County Airport.

Commissioner David Flowers moved to table the resolution; Commissioner James Higgins seconded the motion, and the commission voted to table the item by voice vote. The resolution and its Exhibit A were included in the meeting record and set out the proposed lease terms in detail, but the tabling motion prevented immediate approval.

What the proposed contract said (in the record): the resolution and Exhibit A describe a lease running May 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2031, covering about 16 acres on the east/south side of the airport runway at a rate of $750 per acre (totaling $12,000 for the full term). The contract calls for five equal installments of $2,400 each (one due at execution and the remainder annually on Jan. 1 of each year thereafter), gives the tenant all income derived from the leased premises, places responsibility for seed, fertilizer and management on the tenant, and disclaims County liability for crop damage. The agreement reserves the owner’s right to cross the leased premises for access to a weather station and other airport improvements.

Because the commission tabled the resolution, no authorization for the County Mayor to execute the lease was given during the meeting. The transcript shows the lease language and signature lines in the record, but the commission elected not to approve the contract at this session. The meeting later adjourned.