Supervisors weigh termination clause, public‑safety use as county reviews communications lease

Winneshiek County supervisors spent part of their meeting reviewing a proposed amendment to a communications company lease on county property and seeking direction for staff on acceptable contract language. Staff said the current lease began signing activity in 2017, took effect in late 2019 or early 2020 and includes a five‑year initial term with up to four automatic renewals; the company has proposed a lower rent that the county could accept only with a firm termination clause.

Supervisors discussed the property‑value and future‑sale implications if equipment remained attached to county land. One supervisor said the equipment “would be an encumbrance on the land that would take away from a future buyer,” and asked for language that would allow the county to require removal. Staff recommended including a clear cancellation/termination clause that obliges the company to remove facilities and restore the site on reasonable notice. The board also asked that any cancellation timing be realistic — supervisors suggested 60–90 days would be more feasible than a 30‑day removal requirement.

County officials and an agency representative also discussed potential public‑safety benefits from the site. An agency official noted known gaps in radio reception at two major county facilities and said, “That tower could offer us an avenue to get some radio penetration into those buildings.” Supervisors asked staff to explore negotiating placement of county 9‑1‑1 or radio equipment at no charge as part of any rent concession. The board directed staff to draft proposed language and bring it back for review prior to a formal amendment.