Commissioners discussed a request to surplus and sell a section of dirt at county fairgrounds property. A private buyer identified as Houston offered $450 to remove the southern chunk, and staff said contractors indicated that price matched fair market value for the material.

A staff participant reported reviewing guidance from the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), saying MRSC’s opinion is that if an item’s value is less than $2,000 the county board may adopt alternative procedures for disposal rather than a formal sealed-bid process. The transcript shows commissioners sought an approach that would ensure equal opportunity for other interested parties.

Board members directed staff to check legal procedures with county counsel (referred to in the meeting as Esther), advertise the opportunity and request bids. One commissioner suggested asking interested parties to provide bids to Lenny Jones, clerk of the board, and to include standard cleanup and site-restoration requirements, such as leveling and removal deadlines. In the meeting staff proposed a removal deadline “by the end of next year” as an example; no firm deadline was adopted during the discussion.

No formal motion or vote appears in the transcript. Staff said they would confirm the legal approach with Esther, then post the sale terms and accept bids if counsel confirms the procedure.

The board did not finalize a buyer or sign any sales contract during the meeting; the transcript indicates staff will bring a recommended process and any bids back to the board for approval if required.