SUBJECT
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Approve Land Purchase Agreement between Ryan Russell and Polk County in conjunction with the Environmental Lands Program, CLASAC Project EL-109-23. ($340,000 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 Ryan Russell, for a tract of land located east of Lake Wales and the west of Walk in Water Road. The property was evaluated by CLASAC which recommended approval and in February 2024 the Board approved staff to pursue the acquisition of the property. The County hired an independent appraiser to establish a value for the property which is an irregular shaped parcel containing approximately 18-acres. The owner of the property has agreed to accept the County's offer in the amount of $335,000 and has executed an Agreement for Sale and Purchase for the property.
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 the amoun...
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