Commission approves land sale after keeping it under wraps

The Linn County Commission on Monday, July 21, approved the sale of a lot in the Linn County Industrial Park at La Cygne for $35,000. (Journal file photo)

By Charlene Sims, info@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – Discussion of the Linn County 2026 budget was put on hold at the county commission’s meeting on Monday, July 21, likely because commission Chair Jim Johnson was not present. Final discussions with some county departments about possible budget cuts were postponed until the July 28 meeting. 

However, commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jason Hightower did vote on a resolution and contract to sell Lot 7, 3.1 acres, at the La Cygne Industrial Park to D & F Property LLC for a dollar less than $35,000.

It was the first time the sale had been discussed in open session.  However, because  they voted on it without Johnson being present, it had apparently had been discussed in executive session. 

The Kansas Open Meeting Act (KOMA) allows for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of property by local governments to be held in a secret session. However, it does not allow an exemption for selling of government-owned property.

KOMA does allow for discussing financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual proprietorships, however, an offer to purchase an industrial park lot would likely not be deemed to fall into that category.

County economic development departments often keep secret a new business coming into the county to avoid competition. But previous commissions have been much more transparent about the selling of lots in the industrial parks.

In a phone interview with Hightower, he said that this was an expansion of the woodworking business that already leases a building at the industrial park at La Cygne. He said the company builds bar stools and similar items.

Chasity Ware, county economic development director, said that the company indicated it would employ 10 people at the location.