County planning update: comprehensive‑plan steps, inclusion diamond location and resolution to pursue two‑acre parking parcel

Doug Westerfeld of the Area Planning Commission told commissioners July 6 that the steering committee had received a rough draft of the Decatur County comprehensive plan and will meet July 16 to review edits before any public adoption steps. He said Saint Paul’s planning effort — undertaken to qualify for grant funding to address a sewage need — prompted a robust public turnout but that a data center was not part of Saint Paul’s plan purpose.

On parks, the board reviewed three proposed locations for a Rotary‑funded inclusion baseball diamond at Rebecca Park and agreed to the recommendation to site the diamond on the west side of the road just north of the playground. Commissioners noted maintenance responsibility would fall to the parks department and asked staff to monitor ongoing maintenance costs and long‑term replacement needs for turf and related facilities.

Separately the board approved a resolution (2026‑13) to pursue purchase of a two‑acre parcel behind the bowling alley to expand parking for the sports complex. The procedure described in the staff report requires two independent appraisals and using the average appraisal value as the offer; commissioners voted to move forward with appraisals and to bring a purchase offer if the property owner is willing to sell.

The board asked staff to share the parks decision with the Rotary Club and to return any further documents, appraisals or proposed maintenance plans for future consideration.