SUBJECT
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Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Wynona Serenceses and Polk County for the construction of a new government center and CIP amendment and budget transfer. ($5,525,000 one-time expense - $569,500 one-time transfer)
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DESCRIPTION
The County has a need for a new government center to service the northwest portion of the County. The new government center will be a replacement for the existing leased facility known as the Lakeland Government Center located at the northwest corner of Parker Street and Ingraham Avenue in Lakeland. To accommodate the increased growth in the northwest portion of the County the new government center would need to be located to the north and west of its current location. A review of available properties in the area, factoring in certain necessities such as size, location, access, transportation and utility accommodation, has revealed only one site which was determined to be reasonably suitable for the development of a new government center. The property identified as Parcel ID Number 232716-000000-044010 is a vacant parcel containing approximately 26.79 acres located along the east side of the four-lane portion of Kathleen Road to the south of Duff Road. County staff has had ongoing discussions with the owner, Wynona Serenceses, regarding the purchase of the site for the government center. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish a value for the property and the owner rejected the County’s offer. Continued negotiations with the owner have resulted in a proposed purchase price for the property in the amount of $5,500,000 and she has executed a Land Purchase Agreement.
The County Attorney’s Office and the Real Estate Services Director have reviewed the Land Purchase Agreement and recommend approval. The alternative of acquiring this property through condemnation litigation would result in substantial cost to the County. Approving the Land Purchase Agreement, authorizing the issuance of funds for the purchase and closing costs, and hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction will allow the County to move forward with the purchase of the property for the proposed government center.
A project budget of $5,000,000 was included in the FY 25/26 adopted budget within the General Capital Improvement Fund. As some project expenditures have already occurred during FY 25/26, a CIP amendment in the amount of $569,500 is needed to cover the requested land purchase and closing costs in the amount of $5,525,000.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the aforementioned Agreement for Sale and Purchase and authorize the issuance of funds in the amount of $5,500,000 for the purchase; request Board approve the hiring of American Government Services Corporation to close the transaction and approve paying estimated closing costs in the amount of $25,000 for a total amount of $5,525,000; approve to a CIP amendment and budget transfer from reserves in the amount of $569,500 to fund the purchase and closing costs of the property.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the CIP amendment, $569,500 will be transferred from the General Capital Improvement Fund Reserve for Future Capital Expansion. Funds in the amount of $5,500,000 for the purchase plus estimated closing costs in the amount of $25,0000 for a total of $5,525,000 will be available in the General Capital Improvement Fund.
The reserve will be replenished with ending fund balance during the FY 26/27 budget process.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Director
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577