BOONE, Iowa—A controversial proposal to sell county owned property north of Boone on Nature Road was tabled this week by the Boone County Supervisors. The Board had scheduled a public hearing to set a date to sell the property during their Wednesday meeting. A number of people attended, some opposing the sale of the former County Home property some supporting the sale. Dodge Township Trustees did submit a proposal to take over the property and continue to operate it the way it has been used and even expand some opportunities.
The former County Home was closed in the 1990’s and was eventually demolished about 20 years ago. Site contamination due a fuel tank leak required the site be monitored, but recent testing has shown no contamination. Also, during demolition building debris, concrete and brick were buried on site.
Since that time, some of the uses of the space were as a setting for dog training, radio controlled planes, even hot air balloon launches. The property was never officially been declared a park by the county, even though some consider it to be an actual park.
Supervisor Bill Zinnel has long been an advocate of selling county property that doesn’t serve purpose and getting the property back on the tax roles. In the past, the board has sold other county owned property including some farm ground in the area of the former county home. The board is also expected to sell property purchased a couple of years ago, near the Central Iowa Expo site, with the intent of locating a centralized county shed on the grounds. Zinnel voted against tabling the matter while Supervisors Shawn Bryant and Erich Kretzinger approved the action. The Public Hearing will continue at the October 4th meeting of the Supervisors at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room at the Boone County Courthouse.
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