Sioux County supervisors are expected to consider an agreement on September 29 that would allow flood-related home buyouts in unincorporated areas of the county to move forward.
Zoning Director Shane Walter said a September 16 meeting provided preliminary information about the next steps, but additional paperwork must be approved before the county can proceed.
“Essentially, they have to approve an agreement to receive the dollars and to disseminate them properly,” Walter said.
Walter is already completing preparatory work, including requesting property abstracts, while awaiting board action.
He said another meeting with Homeland Security officials is needed to clarify how the county should proceed. That discussion had not yet occurred when he spoke with Sioux County Radio.
Although a firm closing schedule has not been established, Walter said there may be options to expedite the purchases. Once the necessary agreements and procedural details are settled, he believes a closing could potentially occur within 30 days.
“So I’m thinking, I can’t imagine that by the end of the year we wouldn’t have this accomplished,” Walter said.
That remains his expectation rather than a confirmed deadline. The timing depends on board approval and clarification of the remaining requirements.
During the September 15 supervisors’ meeting, Walter also explained that property acquisition must occur before demolition and that the demolition portion would require a separate agreement.
