Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics Inquiry Land Sale topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board member discloses state ethics inquiry into land purchase; offers $535,000 purchase and says conflict cleared
Summary
Board member Jack Fisher told colleagues Tuesday he received a state ethics opinion clearing the public purchase process for district land in Dingmans after he offered $535,000 cash for the property.
Jack Fisher, a member of the school board, informed colleagues that he had received written advice from the state ethics office following his offer to purchase approximately 250 acres of district‑owned land in Dingmans for $535,000 in cash. Fisher said the ethics inquiry — initiated at the board’s request — reviewed the history of the property purchase and environmental constraints and concluded the sale was permissible provided all steps are public and not negotiated behind closed doors. Fisher said a lawyer for another individual previously associated with the property withdrew representation and that he currently had no legal representative for the purchase. He said his intent is conservation of the land and that environmental regulations have reduced development potential and therefore market value over time. Board members thanked Fisher for transparency and asked staff to share the ethics opinion with the board. Fisher asked staff to email the opinion and supporting materials to board members; staff said the document is public and will be distributed. No board vote or action was taken on the potential sale during the meeting.
