Adair County Attorney Melissa Larson was asked during Wednesday mornings’ Adair County Board of Supervisor’s meeting, about the legality of back-dated lease contracts for solar energy farms, after the County received a letter to that effect from a concerned citizen.

Supervisor Matt Wedemeyer…

Larson said didn’t know the answer to that question. She asked if there was any proof anyone had taken such action.

She said she hasn’t spoken with the concerned citizen who wrote the letter, and would look into the authority to request that information, outside of a criminal investigation. The question is, how many acres were signed-up in Adair County prior to May 5th. Larson said it is never okay to back-date a contract, if you are doing it with the intent to obfuscate the law.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors approved an American Rescue Plan Act award contract with the Department of Treasury. Auditor Mandy Berg said the County is eligible to receive $1.34-million from the COVID relief act. The contract simply acknowledges the County wants whatever money is received, based on per capita. She said they will be setting up a new account specifically for any such funds that are received. The Board also approved Sheriff Jeff Vandewater’s request for him to pay for his own expenses, if any, with regard to a Firearms Instructor Training course set for June 14th through 18th, and for him to submit a claim for reimbursement.

And, Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported to the Board, that on Monday they had the bid letting on the G-61 County line grading project, with Cass County picking a portion of the costs. Leroy and Son, Inc., out of Carroll, was the low bidder, at $798,551.80. The engineer’s estimate had been about $973,000, so the bid came about 20% under. The same company handled the Adair County Landfill closing and other projects.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors approved the contract during their meeting Tuesday morning. Adair County will serve as the contracting authority. Cass County will pay $490,996.93, while Adair County will pay $307, 553.88.