Washington Supervisors approve minor plat, discuss two property offers

WASHINGTON — After a review from Washington County Subdivision Coordinator Mya Talbert, the Washington County Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to adopt resolution 26-05, the acceptance and approval of minor plat of Jotoammi Acres Subdivision.

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The subdivision application was submitted by Larry and Miriam Plecker. The minor plat associated submittals were also reviewed and approved by the county departments.

“The proposed subdivision is located on Orange Avenue, approximately a quarter mile south of 105 Street and a quarter mile north of 110th Street,” Talbert said. “Owners dividing this track of land into one lot for the purpose of building a new residence.”

Discussion took place over which path to take over two offers presented to the county for property located at 302 W Main St, Washington.

Tim Elliot, the realtor for this transaction, spoke of a cash offer of $15,000 and another cash offer of $20,000 with a contingent on a rezoning ability. Currently the property is on the market for $25,000.

Talks among the supervisors weighed both options. Going with the $15,000 is the simplest route while accepting the $20,000 offer runs the risk of the city not working with the buyer.

“This is public property. We should be trying to get the highest price out that we can get,” District 2 Supervisor Bob Yoder said about the offers.

“I think it doesn't make any sense for the county to maintain property that it only results in liability. As far as I'm concerned we sell it,” District 3 Supervisor Marcus Fedler said. “And I think the $20,000 offer would be appropriate. Take it and hopefully the city will work with the buyer to rezone.”

The Supervisors decided to delay actions of the offer until next week but noted they wanted to be firm on an offer of $20,000.

In other items in new business, the Supervisors passed Resolution 26-03 (Emergency Management to apply for the Washington County Riverboat Foundation Spring 2026 Grant) and Resolution 26-04 (Secondary Roads to apply for the Washington County Riverboat Foundation Spring 2026 Grant).

Washington County Sheriff Jared Schneider presented law contracts for Fiscal Year 2027. All seven contracts were approved by the supervisors.

Those contracts included Ainsworth ($46,057), Brighton ($59,134), Crawfordsville ($24,129), Kalona ($343,912), Riverside ($280,369), Wellman ($163,051) and West Chester ($14,602).

The supervisors passed a motion to accept an election canvass as official from the Keota Community School District special election that was held on March 3.

“We are not the control county for this. Keokuk County was the control County, but we had more than 125 eligible voters, so we did have to hold a special election as well,” Washington County Elections Administrator Angela Langstraat said.

The special election was to adopt a revenue purpose statement. Out of a total of 274 eligible voters, there was a voter turnout of 14% with 35 voting “yes” and two voting “no”.

The Supervisors also passed a motion to authorize County Auditor Tammy Stewart as the business officer for TCM Bank County Credit Card accounts.