(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson County Nature Center project may be in line for a major donation from a gifting organization–but there’s a string attached.
The board of supervisors Tuesday discussed a contingency on the grant proposal that would require the county to issue a permanent easement on the land on which the nature center is located, preventing it from being used for any other purpose in the future. The easement would be held by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The gifting foundation, who’s name hasn’t been made public, would act as the monitor.
The gifting foundation has also requested naming rights of the nature center. The supervisors are hopeful that term is negotiable, saying they would like to see Dickinson County included in any name for the facility. They cite the fact taxpayer money has already been used on the project.
Regarding the easement proposal, the supervisors Tuesday directed Assistant County Attorney Lonnie Saunders to order a survey, or legal description of the property. It was pointed out that a public hearing would have to be held prior to the supervisors granting such an easement.
