Winneshiek County board approves amendment to sale of former DHS building to share well cost

The Winneshiek County board approved an amendment to the real estate contract for the county's former Department of Human Services building that would have the county pay half the cost of a new well, up to $25,000, only if the state requires the buyer to install one.

At the meeting the chair summarized the amendment, saying, "what this amendment states is that we will pay for half of the well up to a total cost of $25,000 for the county." Officials said the county's contribution would expire if the well was not installed and operational within two years of closing.

The amendment also accommodates an assignment of the purchase agreement to a different limited liability company that will act as the buyer. Staff told the board they expect to be able to close the sale on the following Monday or Tuesday and, if approved, to complete the transaction in the current fiscal year.

Andy, representing the auditor's office, clarified a limiting condition: "this only applies if . . . they're required to put in a new well due to action by the state of Iowa," meaning the county's obligation would not apply unless the state compelled separate infrastructure. Board members asked for documentation from the state confirming that it would not continue the shared arrangement before the county's contribution would be triggered.

A motion to approve the amendment was made and seconded. The chair conducted a roll call and announced the amendment passed unanimously. The meeting discussed signature logistics; Tony agreed to sign and email the document so counsel could obtain an attorney signature and verify the correct LLC name was listed before final execution.

The meeting adjourned after the board completed the vote. No further formal actions about the sale were recorded at that session.