County Farmland Fixed Cash Rent Lease

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Boone County Government ("Boone County") is seeking proposals from qualified individuals or
entities to lease approximately 60 acres of tillable County-owned agricultural land for
agricultural crop production under a fixed cash rent lease.
The successful proposer shall lease and farm the designated agricultural acreage in accordance
with the terms and conditions contained in this Request for Proposals ("RFP") and the resulting
Agricultural Cash Rent Lease Agreement.
The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive technicalities, negotiate lease
terms with the selected proposer, and award the lease in the best interest of Boone County.
SUBMISSION
Proposals are to be submitted in hard copy print to be received no later than 11:00 a.m. (Local
Time), Friday, September 4, 2026. All correspondence should be marked "BCG-2026-05 County
Farmland Fixed Cash Rent". All are to be submitted to the Office of the Boone County Clerk at
1212 Logan Avenue, Suite 103, Belvidere, IL 61008.
OFFICIAL CONTACT
Any questions concerning this Request for Proposal ("RFP") should be submitted to:
Becky Tobin, County Administrator
Btobin@boonecountyil.gov
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GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A. One (1) hard copy of your proposal with any attachments are to be submitted in a
sealed envelope.
B. Any proposal may be withdrawn by giving notice to the Boone County Clerk and
Recorder before the stated-closing date and time.
C. Proposals that take exception to the County's Terms and Conditions as a whole and
substitute the proposers' standard terms and conditions may be rejected.
D. Vendors shall assume full responsibility for all costs necessary to assemble the required
information and for the timely delivery of the proposal at the above location.
E. This request for proposals (RFP) does not commit the County to award a contract or to
undertake any financial obligation whatsoever with respect to the requirement referred
to herein.
F. The County reserves the right, when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the county,
to negotiate contract terms with the selected Vendor to award the proposal or
combination of proposals deemed in the best interest of the County, at the County's sole
discretion. Boone County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.
G. To be responsive, the proposal must set forth full, accurate and complete information as
required by this RFP and all attachments.
H. Any amendment to this RFP will be issued in writing by the County. No information or
representation other than that contained in such an amendment, whether received from
an employee of the County or other person, will be considered to have been modified or
be grounds for deviation from any stipulation or requirement of this RFP.
I. The Vendor shall be responsible for complying with all Local, State, and Federal
regulations pertaining to this project, including State of Illinois law relating to prevailing
wage and preference to citizens on public works project.
SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)
Proposal response due at County by 11:00 AM Friday, September 4, 2026
Proposal opening at 11:00 AM - County Board Room Friday, September 4, 2026
County Board approval Thursday, September 17, 2026
*This schedule is subject to change.
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INTRODUCTION
Boone County is soliciting proposals to lease approximately 60 acres of tillable agricultural land
located on two County-owned properties in Boone County, Illinois. The property shall be used
solely for agricultural crop production.
Property Description
Parcel 1
* Location: Intersection of Illinois Route 76 and Woodstock Road, Boone County, Illinois
* PIN: 05-11-200-002
* Parcel Size: Approximately 36.38 acres
* Approximate Tillable Acres: 32.24 acres
* Legal Description: AN IRREG 43.54 AC TR LYG IN W1/2 NE & E1/2 NW (EX ALL ROW).
Parcel 2
* Location: West of the intersection of Squaw Prairie Road and McKinley Avenue, Boone
County, Illinois
* PINs: 05-14-200-006 (60.02 acres) and 05-14-200-003 (6.00 acres)
* Approximate Tillable Acres: 34.55 acres
* Legal Description: 14-44-3 W 1/2 NE SEC 14-44-3 (EX PT FOR RD AS IN 07-2624 & EX BEG
2796.17' E SW COR NW 1/4 S C 14, N 683' E.)
Only the designated agricultural portions of these parcels are included in this solicitation. The
total acreage available for lease is approximately 60 acres of tillable farmland. Boone County
makes no guarantee regarding the exact number of tillable acres, and proposers are encouraged
to inspect the property and verify acreage independently prior to submitting a proposal.
The anticipated lease term shall begin March 1, 2027, for an initial period of two (2) years.
Boone County may, upon mutual written agreement, renew the lease for up to two (2)
additional one-year terms.
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SCOPE OF LEASE
The successful proposer shall furnish all labor, equipment, materials, and management
necessary to operate the leased premises for agricultural purposes.
Responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to:
* Farm the property in a timely, businesslike, and husband-like manner.
* Maintain soil fertility and productivity through accepted agricultural practices.
* Utilize appropriate crop rotations and conservation practices.
* Maintain drainage systems, waterways, terraces, and tile outlets.
* Prevent weeds from going to seed.
* Preserve fences and existing improvements.
* Prevent waste or damage to County property.
* Comply with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
* Report any hazardous material spill immediately.
* No fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or other agricultural chemicals shall be stored on
County property.
* Fertilizer application rates shall be disclosed to Boone County upon request.
* Follow applicable recommendations of the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA).
* Comply with all applicable employment laws relating to individuals employed in farming
operations on the leased premises.
The successful proposer shall furnish, at their sole expense:
* Labor
* Equipment
* Fuel
* Power
* Seed
* Fertilizer
* Herbicides
* Pesticides
* Water
* Transportation
* Normal operating expenses
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LEASE RESTRICTIONS
The successful proposer shall not:
* Assign or sublease the lease without prior written approval of Boone County.
* Permit unauthorized use of the property.
* Allow livestock on the premises without written approval.
* Store agricultural chemicals on County property.
* Enter into agreements affecting Boone County's ownership interests.
* Use the property for any purpose other than agricultural production without written
approval.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The successful proposer shall maintain throughout the lease term:
* Commercial General Liability Insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per
occurrence.
* Workers' Compensation Insurance as required by Illinois law.
* Boone County shall be named as an Additional Insured on the Commercial General
Liability policy.
Certificates of Insurance shall be provided prior to execution of the lease.
EVALUATION PROCESS
Proposals will be evaluated by Boone County using the following criteria:
* Proposed annual cash rent
* Agricultural experience and qualifications
* Ability to satisfy lease requirements
* Overall benefit to Boone County
Boone County reserves the right to request interviews or additional information from
proposers.
The lease will not necessarily be awarded solely on the highest proposed rental amount.
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PROPOSAL FORMAT
Responses to the RFP must contain the following;
Letter of Transmittal:
Name of proposer, business name (if applicable), mailing address, telephone number, email
address, primary contact person, and brief statement of interest
Cash Rent Proposal:
Provide:
- Proposed annual cash rent
- Proposed cash rent per tillable acre (if applicable)
Attachment A has a Cash Rent Proposal form that you can utilize.
Annual rent shall be payable in two equal installments due March 1 and September 1 of each
lease year unless otherwise agreed.
Agricultural Experience
Provide:
* Years farming
* Current acreage farmed
* Crops produced
* Experience leasing agricultural land
Farming Practices
Describe:
* Crop rotation practices
* Soil fertility management
* Weed control
* Conservation practices
* Environmental stewardship
* Equipment available for farming operations
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STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Contract Term: The lease term shall begin upon execution of the Agricultural Cash Rent Lease
Agreement and continue for the approved lease period.
Acceptance-Rejection: Boone County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all quotes and
to waive technicalities in any quotation or part thereof deemed to be in the best interest of
Boone County.
Non-Discrimination/Affirmative Action: Boone County is committed to equal employment
opportunity and is obligated not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or physical; or mental
handicap in regard to any position for which qualified. Further you are advised that as a
contractor, subcontractor, vendor or lessee of Boone County, you may be subject to Executive
Order 11246, as amended, and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation act, as amended. If covered,
acceptance of this contract or purchase order shall constitute your agreement that you will not
discriminate against any employee or applicant for national origin, age or physical or mental
handicap in regard to any position for which qualified; and that you will comply with other
specific requirements of these laws. In the event of noncompliance with the nondiscrimination
clause, this purchase order or contract may be canceled, terminated, or suspended in whole or
in part and you may be declared ineligible for further contracts or purchase orders.
Applicable Law: This contract shall be governed under the laws of the State of Illinois and is
made at Boone County, Illinois, and venue for any legal action to enforce the terms of the
agreement shall be in Boone County Circuit Court.
Assignment: No right or duty in whole or in part by the contractor under this contract may be
assigned or delegated without the written consent of Boone County.
Cancellation: Boone County reserves the right to cancel this contract in whole or in part without
penalty due to the non-appropriation of funds or for failure of the contractor to comply with
terms, conditions, and specifications of this contract.
Delivery: Delivery shall be F.O.B. destination unless otherwise specified.
Deviation and Exceptions: Deviations and exceptions from terms, conditions, or specifications
shall be described fully under the bidder's letterhead, signed, and attached to the request for
bid. In the absence of such statement, the bid shall be accepted as in strict compliance with all
terms, conditions, and specifications and the bidder shall be held liable.
Entire Agreement: These standard terms and conditions shall apply to any contract order
awarded as a result of this request for bid except where special requirements are stated
elsewhere in the request. IN such the contract order with reference to parts and attachments
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shall constitute the entire agreement with previous communications pertaining to the subject of
this request for bid being hereby superseded.
Guaranteed Delivery: Failure of the contractor to adhere to the delivery schedule that is
specified or to promptly replace rejected materials shall render the contractor liable for all costs
in excess of the contract price if alternate procurement is necessary. Excess costs shall include
administrative costs.
Insurance Responsibility: The contractor to perform services for the County of Boone shall: (A)
Maintain worker's compensation insurance as required by Illinois Statutes, for all employees
engaged in work: (B) Maintain general liability a property damage against any and all claim(s)
which might occur in the carrying out of this agreement/contract. Provide, upon request, an
insurance certificate(s) indicating this coverage, countersigned by an insurer licensed to do
business in the State of Illinois, covering the period of this agreement/contract. The insurance
certificate shall state that the County is an additional insured.
Invoicing: Purchase orders shall be individually invoiced in accordance with the instructions
contained on the purchase order or contract. The County is subject to payment provisions of
1989 Illinois Act 233. The County, after receipt of a properly completed invoice or receipt and
acceptance of the property of service whichever is later, will make payment within thirty (30
days.
Service Request: Vendor shall render service requests in accordance with Scope of Services by
an Authorized County Representative.
Quality Level: Unless otherwise indicated in the Request for Bid, all materials shall be first
quality. Items which are used, obsolete, or which have been discontinued are unacceptable
without prior written approval by the Purchasing Agent.
Quantities: Quantities shown on this request for bid are based on estimated needs. County
reserves the right to increase/decrease quantities to meet actual needs or availability of funds.
Taxes: Boone County and its departments are exempt from payment of all federal taxes and
Illinois State and local taxes on its purchases except Illinois excise tax as described below: The
County is exempt form state sales tax per Illinois Statue 77.54 (9)(a).
Contractors preforming construction activities are required to pay state user tax on the cost of
materials.
Boone County, including all of its departments, is required to pay an excise tax on Illinois beer,
liquor, wine, cigarettes, tobacco product, motor vehicle fuel engine oil and aviation fuel.
However, Boone County is exempt from payment of State of Illinois sales or user tax on this
purchase. Boone County may be subject to other state taxes on its purchases dependent upon
the laws of that state.
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Public Records Law Compliance: Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/7(2), a public record that is not in the
possession of a public body but is in the possession of a party with whom the agency has
contracted to perform a governmental function on behalf of the public body and that directly
relates to the governmental function and is not otherwise exempt is considered a public record
of the public body. All term of this agreement, and the records created thereunder, are subject
to and conditioned on the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140 et
seq. The contractor shall assist the County in producing and retaining records that ae subject to
the Illinois Freedom of the Information Act. All correspondence, emails, etc., between and
among the contractor, the County, and other parties relating to, necessitated by, or arising from
the contractor's services under this Agreement that are created or received by the contractor
shall be produced and maintained in such a way as to ensure the County's ability to comply with
all aspects of the Freedom of Information Act. The contractor's failure to do so will constitute a
material breach of this agreement, and require the contractor to defend and hold the County
harmless from any liability under that law. Except as otherwise authorized, all such records shall
be maintained for a period of seven (7) year after receipt of final payment under this
Agreement.
Certification of Independent Price Determination: By signing this bid, the respondent certifies,
and in the case of a joint bid, each party thereto certifies as to its own organization, that in
connection with this procurement.
The process in this response have been arrived at independently, without consultation,
communication, agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating
to such prices with any other respondent or with any competitor; Unless otherwise required by
law,, the prices which have been quoted in this bid have not been knowingly disclosed by the
respondent and will not knowing be disclosed by the respondent prior to opening in the case of
an advertised procurement or prior to award in the case of a negotiated procurement, directly
or indirectly to any other respondent or to any competitor; and no attempt has been made or
will be made by the respondent to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a
bid for the purpose of restricting competition.
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