SUBJECT
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Approve Agreement for Sale and Purchase between La Cala, LLC and Polk County in conjunction with the Environmental Lands Program - CLASAC Project, EL-127-24. ($2,996,250 not to exceed 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 La Cala, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, for land located along the south side of Camp Mack Road which includes lakefront along the shores of Lake Rosalie. The property was evaluated by CLASAC which recommended approval and in November 2024 the Board approved staff to pursue the acquisition of the property. The County hired two independent appraisers to establish a value for the property which is comprised of two contiguous, irregular shaped tax parcels, containing a total of approximately 305-acres. As a result of discussions between the owner and the County the owner is retaining at least 80-acres of the western portion of the overall property. The owner has agreed to accept the County’s offer, which is based on an average per acre price from the appraisals of $13,250/acre, in the amount of $2,981,250 for the remaining 225-acres and has executed an Agreement for Sale and Purchase. A survey is being prepared for the property and the Agreement contains a provision that in the event the remaining acreage totals less than 225-acres then the price will be adjusted accordingly at closing and based on the per acre price of $13,250. The property is located within the Avon Park Air Force Range Encroachment Buffer Zone and it is anticipated that the County will receive funding, in the form of a reimbursement after closing, from The United States of America through the Secretary of the Air Force (“Air Force”) in the amount of $1,300,000 in conjunction with an Encroachment Management Agreement.
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 property for the program.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the above-mentioned Agreement for Sale and Purchase and authorize the issuance of funds in an amount not to exceed $2,981,250 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 $15,000 for a total amount of $2,996,250.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for the purchase and estimated closing costs in the amount of $2,996,250 in the Stormwater MSTU Fund (Kissimmee Watershed Project).
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Director
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577