County sells former nuisance property in Center Junction

   During the July 16 Jones County Supervisors meeting, the board opened bids for the sale of county-owned property located at 12653 Davenport St., Center Junction. This property was a former nuisance property.

   Two bids were received, with both parties present for the meeting:

   • Judy Mead, $500

   • Rachel Waters and Kyle Porter, $2,500

   Both parties also included 10 percent of their initial purchase price as earnest money.

   Per the bid specifications, each party had the option to increase their bid as long as they were physically present.

   Knowing she was the lower of two bids, Mead raised her bid to $3,000. Waters and Porter raised their bid to $3,500. Mead raised to $4,000; Waters and Porter raised to $4,200. Mead raised to $4,500; Waters and Porter raised to $4,600. Mead did not further increase her bid.

   The property was awarded to Rachel Waters and Kyle Porter with a final bid of $4,600.

   “A quit claim deed will be issued to the highest bidder,” noted County Auditor Whitney Hein. “Payment in full in required before we issue the deed.”

   County Treasurer Amy Picray offered that the property would also be cleared of any leans.

In other county business:

   • The board re-approved the FY 2024 financial report for Heritage Agency on Aging, concerning Senior Dining, due to a formulating error within the spreadsheet.

   • The board held a public hearing to discuss a nuisance violation located at 10657 Main St., Center Junction. Owner Jerry Willcoxsen was present for the hearing.

   Willcoxsen acknowledged that she had been making some progress, but that her adult son was bringing refuse to her property via his property he vacated in Anamosa.

   The board asked her to remove the boat in her yard before they vote to abate the nuisance.

   • The board set a public hearing for July 30 at 9:15 a.m. to re-zone 5.70 acres in Lovell Township, owned by Roger Stephen, from A1-Agricultural to C2-Highway Commercial.

   • The board set a public hearing for July 30 at 9:20 a.m. on a nuisance violation located at 12595 Davenport St., Center Junction.

   • The board discussed an ongoing nuisance violation located at 24052 Ridge Rd./E-28, Anamosa, owned by Faron Fritz.

   Land Use Administrator Whitney Amos shared that the owners “have done quite a bit” in terms of addressing the nuisance.

   The board voted 3-2 to give Fritz an additional 30 days before a civil citation would be issued. Supervisors Schlarmann, Swisher, and Rohwedder were for; Supervisors Oswald and Zirkelbach were against.

   “I think we’ve given him enough time,” voiced Supervisor Joe Oswald.

   • County Attorney Kristofer Lyons addressed the board regarding fair week. He proposed turning Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons next year during fair week into county employee holidays.

   “We should close the county offices,” he said. “This is something we can do for our employees that will not cost us any money. We can make it a county holiday.”