SUBJECT
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Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Steven Morrison and Sally Morrison and Polk County in conjunction with the Environmental Lands Program, CLASAC Project EL-109-23. ($422,917.50 total expense)
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DESCRIPTION
In February 2023 the Board adopted Resolution No. 2023-009 which created the Polk County Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (“CLASAC”). The creation of CLASAC was in response to a bond referendum approved by voters in November 2022 to finance capital projects related to the acquisition, preservation, protection, management, operation and restoration of environmental lands, water resources and important fish and wildlife habitat. CLASAC reviews and evaluates properties nominated by property owners and provides a recommendation to the Board as to whether or not staff should pursue the acquisition of the properties for the program.
One such nomination was made by Steven Morrison and Sally Morrison, brother and sister, for a tract of land located east of Lake Wales and the west of Walk in Water Road. The property was evaluated by CLASAC which recommended approval and in February 2024 the Board approved staff to pursue the acquisition of the property. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish a value for the property which is four individual tax parcels that together form a flag shaped parcel containing approximately 26-acres. Ongoing discussions with the property owners have resulted in an agreement wherein the County would purchase approximately 21-acres in fee simple and a conservation easement over the remaining 5-acres located in the northeast corner of the overall property. The owner of the property has agreed to accept the County’s offer in the amount of $415,917.50 for the purchase of the fee parcel along with the conservation easement parcel and has executed an Agreement for Sale and Purchase for the purchase of both.
The County Attorney’s Office and the Real Estate Services Director have reviewed the Agreement for Sale and Purchase and recommend approval. Approving the Agreement for Sale and Purchase, authorizing the issuance of funds for the purchase, and hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction will allow the County to take ownership of the fee property along with a conservation easement over the remainder property for the program.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the above-mentioned Agreement for Sale and Purchase and authorize the issuance of funds in the amount of $415,917.50 for the purchase. Also request Board approve hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction and approve paying closing costs in the estimated amount of $7,000 for a total amount of $422,917.50.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for the purchase in the amount of $162,896 in the Special Revenue Grant - Sentinel Landscape DIG Fund. Funds are available for the remainder of the purchase price and estimated closing costs in the amount of $260,021.50 in the Environmental Lands Acquisition Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Director
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577