Van Buren supervisors discuss county farm management

KEOSAUQUA - Van Buren County Supervisors tabled any action on the future of the county farm until the Oct. 28 regular meeting.

The supervisors met in regular session Oct. 14 and discussed the county farm management with county conservation director Richard Daughtery and conservation board chairman Bob Steingreaber.

Supervisors have been considering the future of the county farm, which it currently leases to Nathan DeLong in the amount of $38,000 per year. There are about 410 acres total at the farm. The recycling center and Tenco Center Village are not part of the farm lease.

The county currently doesn't pay taxes on the county farm, but it would probably have to, supervisors have been told. The amount the county would have to pay in taxes, if it continues to rent, would be around $4,100.

The County Conservation has expressed an interest in taking over management of the county farm. At the Sept. 23 meeting, supervisors asked them to come back with more specifics. Daugherty proposed several possible uses for the farm ground including: re-establishment of native prairie areas, hiking trails and bird watching stations, river access with a primitive camping area, the opportunity to partner with student groups and organizations like Farm Bureau in order to demonstrate farming and conservation techniques as well as educational opportunities, and the opportunity for the farm to be considered as 'matching funds” by the county in future conservation grant applications.

Daughtery said these changes would take years.

'We would probably take baby steps,” Daughtery said.

Any changes, such as opening the area to public hunting, would reduce the rent the county could charge.

'Having a public use and paying taxes, would probably lower the rent to about $25,000,” Daughtery said.

He suggested the county get soil tests on the land.

Steingreaber said he would not be in favor of selling the land.

'In Iowa, 97 percent of the land is in private hands and 2.8 percent in public ownership, which is 47th of the 50th states,” Steingreaber said. 'Selling it, the county would never get an opportunity to turn it back into public hands. I think this is an opportunity for a public-private partnership that we could make here in Van Buren County.”

'I think we can make this more valuable with agriculture and conservation in mind. If we sell it now, it's gone,” Steingreaber said.

Supervisor Dale House had a number of questions.

'I like the idea, but right now I don't love the idea,” he said. 'I like what you are trying to do, but the question we face is doing what is best for the county as a whole.”

House asked about staffing issues for the conservation board in taking on the management of the property. Depending on what was actually done, it might increase staff, from perhaps a half-time position to full-time, Daughtery said. He also said it was important that the conservation board receive funds from the rent, because over the long term, if work was going to be done there, then the board needed to count on a stable source of revenue to be able to do that.

'The conservation department would need to know that the funding is there over multiple years.”

House also asked about Austin Park, which the conservation board manages.

Steingreaber said that periodic flooding, especially from ice jams, made it impossible for the county to receive outside grants and funds to build or repair structures.

House asked about having the conservation board manage a small portion of the county farm.

Steingreaber said the board probably would be interested as it does manage small parcels, like the White Timber. Smaller parcels limit what the department can do with conservation and also do in conjunction with agriculture.”

House also said, 'if we sell it, I would like it to see for a long-term contract.”

House also said the money now raised goes to the general fund and benefits every department.

Supervisor Mark Meek said he desires to pursue a possible agreement with the conservation board. He also said it wasn't necessary that all the rent goes to the conservation department and that two bodies could share in the funds.

The board decided to table any action to the Oct. 28 meeting.

Farm Bureau

Cale Plowman was present to introduce himself to the board as Farm Bureau president, and to offer any assistance on polling the Farm Bureau membership whenever needed. There are 847 members in the organization locally.

'We have a great working relationship and anytime you want to reach out to our members to see what they think just ask.”

Supervisor House said he appreciated meeting with the membership and thought it would also be great to have an informal meeting before that.

County Engineer Ryne Thornburg was present for an update on various road projects including reviewing a preliminary survey proposal from French Reneker for realignment of Route V64 between Lebanon and Leando; for discussion about information that was received from the Army Corps of Engineers related to placing riprap in the Des Moines River to stabilize the roadway at the intersection of Hawk Drive and Acorn Avenue (northwest of Selma); for discussion about hiring contract haulers this fall to transport riprap to various locations; for notification that the county received $56,494.06 after commission for the online equipment auction conducted by Big Iron; and for discussion about purchasing an end loader and a pickup.

On the realignment of V64, Thornburg showed the board a map with broad outlines on two possible realignments, a major one that is more straight and has less sharp curves and one that is minor, and follows more of the current route. He said he would like to know where the county supervisors were leaning because it would be necessary to do more survey work should a major realignment be favored. The county could also do minor realignments in part and major realignments in part, he said.

House asked if it was possible to shave two to three feet off the top of the road to expand the shoulders. Thornburg said that was possible in places. However, it would still leave the county with issues on the alignment.

'The goal is to make real improvements to the road,” said Thornburg.

The engineer also updated the board on possible rip rap on a river road near Selma.

In April, the county asked the engineer to place rip rap, instead of closing it.

Thornburg said there are issues to consider, if the county places rip rap on the bank of the Des Moines River to protect the road.

The Army Corps of Engineers would allow the county to place up to 500 feet of rip rap, but the devil is in the details, Thornburg said.

'First, we probably would need 650 feet of rip rap. Second, according to the Army Corps regulations, that would have to be maintained and the road would have to be there forever,” Thornburg said.

Supervisor Meek said in that case, he would be in favor of closing the road.

Thornburg also said that he is estimating the cost to be $28,000.

Even though that was less than previously estimated, 'still for that price we can rock five and a half miles of road,” Thornburg said. 'I think maybe we need to take a look at this again.”

The county received $56,494.06 net in what was sold over the Big Iron Auction. The county sold an end loader, excavator, two pickups, dump trucks and others.

Local health administrator Lindee Thomas was present for discussion related to the Medicare claims administrator that the county uses. The county auditor was authorized to sign a letter to be used for the five-year revalidation of the county's Medicare participation with CGS Administrators, LLC.

Veteran Affairs/general relief administrator Kathy Saltzgaver was present for discussion on updating the county's general relief policies as related to cremation and burial benefits. Following the discussion the board approved the following change: 'The county will pay for cremation, funeral, and burial only. A total of $1,100.00 is the maximum amount that will be paid. The county will not provide partial or full assistance if burial arrangements exceed $1100.”

The county engineer was authorized to spend up to $90,000 on an end loader to replace the 936F end loader. Ayes: 2

The county engineer was authorized to pursue the purchase of a ¾ ton pickup.

The board authorized the county treasurer to transfer from the Van Buren County Ambulance Fund to the Van Buren County Hospital (VBCH) the sum of $55,772.90, which represents the June 30, 2019 balance in the operational fund due to VBCH.

The county auditor was authorized to make the following transfer of funds: Fund 11 (Rural Services) to Fund 20 (Secondary Roads) - $239,554.00 (2nd quarter tax levied funds).

A request for renewal of a Class B Beer permit, including wine coolers and Sunday sales, for AJ's Bar and Grill was approved.

Board members reported on various committee meetings including RUSS, SEIL Mental Health Region, VBC Conservation Board, and Decat.