SUBJECT
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Declare surplus and authorize the public sale of County-owned Parcel ID Number 232720-002020-000860. (Potential for $42,000 or greater, one-time revenue)
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DESCRIPTION
The County is the owner of a parcel, identified as Parcel ID Number 232720-002020-000860, which is a vacant, triangular shaped parcel containing approximately two-thirds of an acre located along the south side of Glisson Drive in the Kathleen area to the north of Lakeland. The parcel, identified as “Well Site” on the plat of The Homestead Phase 2 recorded in Plat Book 71, at Page 11, previously contained a raw water well, and associated facilities that were owned and operated by Polk County Utilities which have since been decommissioned and abandoned. The property was conveyed to the County in June of 1980, which was prior to the plat, through a Warranty Deed which was subsequently recorded in O.R. Book 1965, at Page 781. After a recent review of the recorded deed it was discovered that there appeared to be a deficiency in the legal description contained therein which potentially created a cloud on the title to the property. County staff were able to contact both the Grantor from the Warranty Deed as well as the developer of the plat and obtained Quit Claim Deeds with correct legal descriptions to clear any clouds on the title associated with the original deed. The County has no further need or use for the property and in an effort to reduce the County’s Land Inventory, staff is requesting the Board declare the parcel, surplus and authorize its public sale to the highest bidder whose bid meets or exceeds the minimum bid. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish a market value for the parcel and a value of $42,000 was established. Staff is requesting the Board approve the appraised amount of $42,000 as the minimum bid amount.
Florida Statutes allow for the disposal of County-owned real property by declaring the property surplus and authorizing a public sale to the highest bidder. Declaring the subject parcel surplus and authorizing the sale will allow the public to purchase the parcel, place it back on the tax roll, remove the property from the County Land Inventory and allow the County to cease maintenance activities associated with the parcel.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board declare above County-owned parcel surplus and authorize its public sale to the highest bidder at or above the minimum bid amount. Also, request Board approve the minimum bid amount of $42,000 for the purchase of the subject parcel and the condition that the recording fees and documentary stamps shall be borne by the prospective buyer. The County’s interest in the subject parcel, including any interests that may otherwise be reserved by Florida Statute, will be conveyed in its “as is” condition via County Deed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Proceeds from the sale of the subject parcel to be deposited into the appropriate fund, to be determined by Finance and Accounting.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Director
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577