Commission authorizes due diligence and survey for Collier shooting-range property; asks for local surveyor quotes

The county voted on Sept. 3 to authorize legal due diligence on the Collier property as part of the proposed county shooting‑range project and to have county staff obtain a boundary and site survey under the administrator’s spending authority.

During executive session the commission discussed a draft sales agreement and a request for engineering bids but voted to do due diligence first. Commissioners approved a motion authorizing the county’s legal counsel to perform due diligence on the Collier property and a second motion authorizing staff (Ruth) to obtain a survey using the administrator’s spending authority; the survey procurement was to follow the county’s three‑quote practice. Commissioners added an expressed preference that staff give consideration to Fayette County‑based firms in selecting among bids.

County staff said the county will not award engineering design bids for the shooting range until it holds clear title to the property and receives the survey. Commissioners indicated the survey will inform easements, the project footprint and any needed deed adjustments; staff said they will coordinate the surveyor with stakeholders and the county’s legal counsel and that any subsequent design work would follow once the property is surveyed and the purchase agreement is finalized.

The commission also voted to postpone the advertised bid for engineering services until after the survey and closing are complete. Commissioners and staff discussed workflow for an initial preliminary design tied to the survey so that work can proceed efficiently once ownership is confirmed.