Winneshiek County Supervisors confronted with open letter from Winneshiek County citizens in latest meeting

DECORAH, Iowa — In the most recent Winneshiek County Supervisors meeting held on Monday, Feb. 5, concerns regarding the proposed sale of county-owned land were raised by a local group calling themselves "Winneshiek County Citizens for Good Government." During the session, Kristin Erickson, a member of the public, presented a letter on behalf of the group to the Supervisors. The letter specifically requested detailed financial information regarding the proposed sale and reiterated widespread opposition from citizens and taxpayers. Erickson pressed the Supervisors for specifics on the expected dollar amount from the sale. Supervisor Mark Vick responded, stating that an exact amount was unknown as bids had not yet been opened. County Auditor Ben Steines interjected, suggesting that while the Supervisors likely had expectations, naming a price would reveal their minimum bid to potential buyers. "So you don't really know if you're going to get anything," Erickson said. "So if you do get something, what is the anticipated yearly tax revenue, do you think that this is going to throw off some huge tax?" Steines explained that if the land were to be used for a solar field, that it would in fact, be exempt from tax for the first four or five years after its installation. "So it's a little difficult to figure out what the benefit to the county is," Erickson responded. Vick defended the sale, expressing frustration at the lack of collaborative efforts from the community in improving conditions. "The one thing that really irks me…not one person has come to the County in the past and said, 'what can we do to work together to make things better?'" Vick said. "The minute we try to sell four acres, then we're the bad people…all we're doing is trying to make a company out there want to be more green by putting in solar panels...anybody sitting here could buy it." Erickson jokingly responded to this, asking how much she would have to bid. Supervisor Vick stated that the flooding was going to continue and that no one could do anything about the "low spots." "Mother Nature wins every time, and we can't predict how much it's going to rain, when it's going to rain, or nothing. That's the law of nature is what it is, and we can't control that." Vick said. Erickson praised Vick's efforts in attempting to assist a company with green energy efforts, and pointed out that this was the first time that she was aware of that the "three of you" (Supervisors Vick, Steve Kelsay, and Chair Dan Langreck) had spoken openly about what they were thinking to the public in regards to the sale. Vick seemed to take umbrage with this phrasing. "I'm getting tired of hearing 'the three of us' all the time. There's five of us on the board, and they vote three to two. So that's the way it goes. Last time, two years ago it was three to two. Me and Dan sat here how many times, and we didn't go causing a big scene…anything we come up with is negative." Vick stated. Erickson continued reading the letter, which went on to remind the Supervisors of the costs to not only the citizens of Freeport, but the cost to the County. "The recovery cost to the county from the 2016 flood was estimated at approximately $2.5 million in recovery costs. This does not include the hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal property damage suffered by Freeport residents during that specific event," the letter stated. "The cost of seed used by the county to seed and plant that ground in 2018 and 2019 totaled $7,290. This was carefully chosen plantings with long roots designed to maximize water absorption during high rainfall events in order to reduce the amount of impacts to area residents and businesses." Supervisor Steve Kelsay implied that the issue was one of personal responsibility. "Your objection is 'I bought my home in a floodplain area and if the county changes something…it's going to significantly impact you' and it becomes the county's liability." Kelsay continued, "Because a property that has been zoned 'manufacturing' for decades, but that didn't get sold for whatever reason by whatever board in the past is now the key known issue of why Freeport floods, but I find that difficult [to believe]; the backwater and sewage that came into your basements due to no check valves and things of that nature. So I think there's a lot of mitigation that becomes a homeowner's expense." Supervisor Shirley Vermace suggested rejecting all bids to retain the land for flood mitigation, highlighting the recent planting of deep-rooted plants for this purpose. Later in the meeting, County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten was asked to discuss the process, timeline, terms, and restrictions for the land sale. Supervisor Vermace once again brought up the idea of editing the sale agreement to restrict construction on the land to raised structures only. However, Supervisor Chair Langreck believed that allowing a purchaser to build basements that allow for the flow of water to pass through could act as a source of flood water retention. Supervisor Vick asked the group if the deep rooted plants were so important for flood mitigation, why wasn't everyone in Freeport planting them in their yards. A sentiment that earned jeers directed at Vick from the members of the public in attendance. Vermace responded to Vick's comment, telling him he was "being silly". "I think you're being silly right now. Mark, we're dealing with county owned land. Let's just stick to this land discussion…what other people do on their own property is not my business…I'm not willing to take a chance of digging it up or allowing constructions, I'm willing to meet a compromise and do raised-pedestal construction," Vermace said. Vick responded, "So then we're going to have no more flooding in Freeport then? That's exactly what you're saying." "Oh for Heaven's sake Mark," Vermace replied. Both Supervisor Vermace and Supervisor Mark Faldet reiterated that their compromise was a good potential plan that would mitigate the concerns of the people of Freeport, despite the assertion. Supervisors Langreck, Kelsay, and Vick remained in opposition to amending the land sale agreement, determining that imposing further restrictions would drive off any other potential bidders.