SCOTT COUNTY, Iowa — Scott County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether or not to change land zoned as Agriculture Preservation into Industrial Floating. This would affect zoning on all Agriculture Preservation land.
Those who oppose the change say the Agriculture Preservation land shouldn't be sacrificed for the sake of another industry coming to Scott County.
"The farming community understands that this is the highest quality ground in the world," said Diane Holst, supervisor on the Scott County Board of Supervisors. "Do we just give that up?"
Tom Sunderbruch is also on the Scott County Board of Supervisors. He says it's important to weigh both sides in these difficult decisions. He says the proposed zoning change would allow discussion with new businesses interested in locating to Scott County, something that isn't possible under current policy.
"They read our plan now, and say, no way," Sunderbruch said. "With [Industrial Floating] they'll say, well there's a chance we might be able to, at least we can talk."
Sunderbruch says that with new business comes commercial tax dollars, which can alleviate pressure to raise taxes or cut services. His decision on which way he will vote remains undisclosed.
"When you can entice economic development to come, they pay millions of dollars in commercial taxes, which we use to support those services," Sunderbruch said.
For Holst, it's a hard line that she doesn't want to see crossed. Farmland provides critical ground that provides food for the world, and will for future generations.
"You just have to think to the future. The responsibility we have to protect the farm ground because it does have value."