SUBJECT
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Approve Land Purchase Agreements in conjunction with the purchase of conservation preservation property located in the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Project - Crooked Lake West Area; Sherron, Pearce, Rice and Azevedo parcels ($23,000 one-time expense)
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DESCRIPTION
The County through its Environmental Lands Acquisition program routinely acquires title to properties for conservation preservation purposes. Through this acquisition program the County has accumulated a large land holding within the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem known as the Crooked Lake West Area; however, many of the parcels are scattered and non-contiguous making land management activities very difficult. The County’s Natural Resources section has identified numerous parcels which if acquired would infill and add to the overall conservation area while aiding in future land management activities. The County is in the process of contacting the property owners of the identified parcels, many of whom are out of state, with an offer to purchase the specific parcels. Several property owners are still reviewing the offer and others, such as the ones referenced below, have decided to accept the County’s offer, and have executed an agreements for the sale of their properties.
Approving the following agreements will allow the County to purchase and take ownership of the subject properties. It will also allow the parcels to be incorporated into the existing Crooked Lake West conservation preservation area and aid in the overall land management of the area:
1. Land Purchase Agreement between Michael Sherron and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273026-000000-044060 for the amount of $5,500. The property is vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 26, Township 30 South, Range 27 East.
2. Land Purchase Agreement between John Joseph Pearce and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273122-000000-042140 for the amount of $5,000. The property is vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 22, Township 31 South, Range 27 East.
3. Land Purchase Agreement between Carla J. Rice and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273121-000000-031090 for the amount of $6,500. The property is vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 21, Township 31 South, Range 27 East.
4. Land Purchase Agreement between Alfred Azevedo and Maria F. Azevedo and Polk County for the purchase of Parcel ID Number 273122-000000-044070 for the amount of $6,000. The property is vacant, rectangular-shaped parcel containing approximately 1.25 acres lying in Section 22, Township 31 South, Range 27 East.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the afore-mentioned Land Purchase Agreements and authorize the issuance of checks in the total amount of $23,000 for the respective purchases.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available for the purchase of the properties in the Environmental Lands Acquisition Fund.
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Director
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577