Douglas County commissioners will meet behind closed doors Monday morning to discuss details of a possible public acquisition of Farmland Industries’ idle fertilizer plant in southeast Lawrence.

Commissioners scheduled an executive session as part of their regular commission meeting, set for 9 a.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.

“It’s just a discussion of where we’re at and where they’re at,” said Commissioner Charles Jones, who is representing the county in discussions with Farmland.

Farmland, the bankrupt farm cooperative based in Kansas City, Mo., intends to shed its fertilizer plant in Lawrence, located on the north side of Kansas Highway 10 just outside of town. The plant was not included in Koch Industries’ overall bid for Farmland’s fertilizer assets.

Commissioners have agreed to work together with Lawrence city commissioners to see if a deal could be reached for public acquisition of the plant. The plant could be removed and the property used for expansion of the East Hills Business Park, while adjacent land to the west could be set aside for expansion of the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.

“We’re a long way from any kind of negotiations, but there is interest and there are real interests,” said Bob Johnson, chairman of the County Commission. “The real issue is how much interest Farmland has in us.”

Also scheduled for Monday’s meeting:

• Consider a resolution that would allow administrators to approve requests for installing radio, television or other telecommunications equipment on existing communications towers in unincorporated areas of the county.
• Proclaim Nov. 11-15 “National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.”