During a recent Luzerne County government meeting, officials discussed the controversial sale of a small parcel of property, measuring just 50 by 50 feet, for the low price of $1,000. The discussion highlighted concerns over the fairness of the sale, with some officials arguing that the price per square foot—approximately 40 cents—was unreasonably low, especially given the assessed value of $214.

Council member Leskiewicz expressed strong opposition to the sale, emphasizing that the county should not sell land at such a low price, as it undermines the value of county assets. He pointed out that land is a finite resource and suggested that the county should instead consider putting the property up for bid to ensure a fair market value is achieved.

The conversation also touched on zoning regulations, with McDermott noting that the property, located in Dallas Township, is too small to be developed under current zoning laws, which require a minimum of half an acre for single-family residential construction. This raised questions about the property's actual value and potential uses.

Sabatino, another council member, acknowledged the need for a more structured bidding process in the future, proposing that minimum bids be set as a percentage of assessed value to avoid undervaluing county properties. He noted that while the current sale might proceed as planned, it was crucial to implement better practices moving forward.

Several members agreed that the county must honor its commitments to the current buyer, Switzer, who had relied on the county's processes. However, they also recognized the necessity of revising the bidding procedures to prevent similar situations in the future. The consensus was clear: while the county should fulfill its obligations, it must also learn from this experience to ensure fairer transactions in the future.