SUBJECT
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Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Preservation of Natural Florida, Inc. and Polk County in conjunction with the Environmental Lands Program, CLASAC Project EL-113-24. ($226,250 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 Preservation of Natural Florida, Inc., for multiple tracts of land located east of Lake Wales, north of State Road 60 and in the immediate vicinity of the County’s North Walk-in-Water Creek wetland reserve and park. The properties are primarily non-contiguous; however, they would complement multiple properties already owned by the County in the area and will allow for future infilling when opportunities arise. The properties were evaluated by CLASAC which recommended approval and in February 2024 the Board approved staff to pursue the acquisition of the properties. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish a value for the properties and the owner subsequently modified the request to exclude and retain certain properties from the initial request. The remaining properties are comprised of twenty-nine individual parcel identification numbers ranging in size from approximately 1.25-acres to approximately 10-acres and containing a total of approximately 75-acres. The owner of the property has agreed to accept the County’s offer for the remaining properties in the amount of $221,250 and has executed a Land Purchase Agreement for the purchase of the properties.
The County Attorney’s Office and the Real Estate Services Director have reviewed the Land Purchase Agreement and recommend approval. Approving the Land Purchase Agreement, authorizing the issuance of funds for the purchase, and hiring American Government Services Corporation to close the transactions will allow the County to take ownership of the properties for the program.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the above-mentioned Land Purchase Agreement and authorize the issuance of funds in the amount of $221,250 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 $5,000 for a total amount of $226,250.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for the purchase of the parcels and applicable closing costs in the amount of $226,250 in the Environmental Lands Acquisition Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Director
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577