TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 3, 2025
COMMITTEE ON MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into two amendments of lease agreements with a tenant farmer for a land parcel located at the Prairie Plan Site in Fulton County, Illinois, pursuant to 22-RFP-17, Farm Management Support Services
Body
Dear Sir:
The District owns property in Fulton County, Illinois, known as the Prairie Plan Site. A portion of the property consists of agricultural land. On January 19, 2023, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to issue a purchase order to Heartland Bank and Trust Company (Farm Manager) to provide farm management support services under 22-RFP-17. The purpose of these services is to manage the District’s farmland in Fulton County, which includes securing leases of agricultural land to tenant farmers.
On March 27, 2023, the District entered into two lease agreements for 1,010.80 acres of hay and pasture fields for a 5-year term with Mr. Jake Fidler.
It is requested that the Board of Commissioners authorize and approve two amendments to the aforementioned leases with Mr. Fidler to remove hay field 7B from the hay lease and add it to the pasture lease. The District will be paid an additional annual rent of $3,454.97 for the conversion of field 7B from hay to pasture.
It is further requested that the Board of Commissioners authorize the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to execute any documents necessary in connection with the subject amendments after they are approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Ed Staudacher, Acting Director of Maintenance and Operations, EJS:JS:SH
Approved as to Form and Legality: Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 3, 2025