Jackson County budget committee holds ordinance to sell surplus property

During a meeting of the Jackson County Budget Committee, members moved to hold Ordinance 21 8 60, which would declare certain county-owned real property surplus and authorize administration to solicit bids for selling the parcels.

The committee, led by Chair Charlie Franklin, said staff who could answer questions about the ordinance were not present. Member Sean Smith moved to hold the ordinance and Donna Peyton seconded the motion. A staff member in the room offered to notify the department that submitted the ordinance so a representative could appear at the next meeting.

The ordinance under consideration was described in the meeting as "Ordinance 21 8 60, declaring certain real property as surplus real property and authorizing administration to solicit bids for selling the surplus parcels." Chair Charlie Franklin asked for a motion; Sean Smith said, "My inclination would be to hold. I would move to hold." Donna Peyton replied, "I will second the hold." A staff member offered, "If you'd like me to let them know to have someone here at the next meeting, I'd be happy to pass that message along."

Committee members said the absence of a department representative left key questions unanswered. Smith asked for a broader overview of county plans before approving the sale, saying he would "like to know kinda comprehensively what the county's property plans and future needs are." Franklin and others noted practical concerns about the specific building mentioned in discussion, including reports that it was "no longer in use" and had "water in the basement," with Franklin adding, "I would imagine it is costing us money." The transcript identified that Troy, who had spoken about the item earlier, was not present for this meeting.

The committee's action was procedural: the item was held for a future meeting so staff or a department representative can address members' questions and present any broader strategy for county property disposal. No formal vote tally or deadline for returning the ordinance was set during the discussion.

The ordinance will return to a future Budget Committee meeting with the expectation that a department representative or the staff member who drafted the item will be available to respond to questions and that committee members will receive information about countywide property plans before any sale is authorized.