SUBJECT
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Approve Right-of-Way Agreement between Bonnie A. Gray, and Polk County in conjunction with the County Road 557 Project, Parcel 114. ($104,260 one-time expense)
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DESCRIPTION
The County has a Community Investment Project to improve County Road 557 to a four-lane corridor from north of US Highway 17/92 in Lake Alfred to south of the I-4 Interchange. To allow construction of the new roadway, the County will need to acquire additional right-of-way for the corridor from impacted property owners. The Board previously adopted a resolution authorizing negotiations and written offers to be made on this project.
Parcel 114 is a rectangular shaped fee parcel, containing approximately 30,500 square feet which is for mainline right-of-way for the project. The parent parcel is a nearly square shaped parcel, containing approximately 8 acres, located along the west side of County Road 557 which is improved with the single-family homestead residence of the owner. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish full compensation for the taking of Parcel Number 114 and the owner, Bonnie A. Gray, rejected the County’s offer. The owner requested that the parcel, as originally described, be modified to create a more consistent boundary between the right-of-way and the remainder property to aide in fence installation and maintenance. Subsequent negotiations with the owner have resulted in a proposed settlement amount of $102,260 for the purchase of the parcel as revised. The owner has not incurred any attorney’s fees or expert costs in conjunction with this acquisition.
The County Attorney’s Office and the Real Estate Services Administrator have reviewed the agreement and recommend approval. The alternative of acquiring this parcel through condemnation litigation would result in substantial cost to the County. Approving the Right-of-Way Agreement and 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 parcel needed for the project.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the aforementioned Right-of-Way Agreement for Parcel 114 and authorize the issuance of funds in the amount of $102,260 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 $2,000 for a total amount of $104,260.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted and available for the purchase of the parcel and estimated closing costs in the total amount of $104,260 in the Special Revenue Grant Fund (CR 557 Project).
CONTACT INFORMATION
R. Wade Allen, Administrator
Real Estate Services
863-534-2577