A proposed $30 million corn oil plant near Merrill inched closer to reality this week.

The Plymouth County Supervisors on Tuesday approved five years of property tax relief for Plymouth Oil L.L.C. The first year will be a 75 percent break declining to 15 percent in the fifth year.

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John Becker, a member of the board of directors of Plymouth Oil, requested the property tax relief to satisfy the Iowa Department of Economic Development's (IDED) requirement for a local match in financial backing.

With the supervisors' approval, the oil plant is eligible to submit an application to the state for its approval of the project and any financial assistance it may give.

Becker said an answer from the IDED is expected July 17 and if approval is given, construction on the corn oil plant will start July 18 with an estimated completion date in November or December.

Becker said the corn oil extraction plant will be built next to Plymouth Energy's ethanol plant and will provide about 25 new jobs with salaries exceeding the average wage in the county.

The plant will also produce up to 60 tons every day of the oil used for human consumption and will provide corn germ, which can be used for animal feed.

In addition, the oil plant will provide the starch part of corn kernels Plymouth Energy will use in making ethanol.

"I think it's a win for everybody," Becker said.

Supervisor Chairman John Schneider agreed.

"This is a good investment," he said. "The county would get a good return."

Before the supervisors voted in favor of the tax relief proposal, Supervisor Don Kass questioned making that decision without having a second meeting.

The supervisors usually ask those making a request to present their information for discussion at a first meeting and then return for a second meeting for a decision.

Darin Raymond, Plymouth County attorney, said the open meetings law doesn't require two meetings, and that although that has been the supervisors general procedure, they have the authority to deviate from it.

"I just wanted to make sure we weren't violating our own rules," Kass said.

Gary Tucker, Plymouth County economic development director, said without the county's approval Tuesday, Plymouth Oil could not approach the state or move forward on the project.