Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

Courtesy: The Quincy Journal

Adams County is close to ending a long-running dispute over ownership of a telecommunications tower.

At Tuesday night’s Adams County Board meeting, members were informed of a deal between the County and American Towers LLC.

Under the deal, American Towers will purchase the county’s interest in the tower, located on County property near the Adams County Highway Department.

The County will receive 30 percent of the gross revenue of the tower, which generates revenue from renting antenna space to other companies.

American Towers will maintain and pay for the expenses related to the tower.

Part of the agreement also includes the County will stop pursuing an appeal regarding a judgment against the County regarding ownership of the tower.

The County lost a lawsuit and ownership reverted to Tiger Tower, who is attempting to sell to American Towers but must get the legal matter cleared up.

The County will suspend the appeal, but not completely drop the matter until the contract is finalized.

At the end of the deal, in 2028, the tower and all of its expenses will revert to the County. The tower currently has a value of $3 million.

In other news, the County Board approved appropriating $2.5 million in County Motor Fuel Tax Funds for county road maintenance and day-to-day operations of the Highway Department.