SUBJECT
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Approve Agreement for Sale and Purchase between Alcoma Properties, LTD, UPCO, Inc. and Polk County in conjunction with the Environmental Lands Program, CLASAC Project EL-121-24 (Masterpiece Road). ($24,071,000 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 jointly by Alcoma Properties, LTD and UPCO, Inc. for large tracts of land located along, or near, Masterpiece Road/Masterpiece Gardens Road (CR 17A) to the east of Lake Wales. The properties are located on either side of the roadway and contain a total of approximately 1,225-acres. The properties were evaluated by CLASAC which recommended approval and in April 2024 the Board approved staff to pursue the acquisition of the properties. The County hired two independent appraisers to establish a value for the tracts which resulted in very similar values. The County made an offer based on the results of those appraisals in the amount of $24,000,000 for all of the property which the owners have agreed to accept. Further discussions with the owners have resulted in an agreement wherein the total property will be separated into three groups and closed, based on a takedown schedule, over time, and by the end of calendar year 2026, in order to allow the County to pursue funding partners for the acquisitions. The owners have executed an...
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