Harrison County approves purchase of 22.428 acres near airport for about $54,878

The Harrison County Commissioners Court unanimously approved purchase of approximately 22.428 acres of the Marshall Nursing Home subdivision for a total of about $54,878 and ratified a discretionary exemption required because the purchase exceeds $50,000.

Commissioner Zephaniah Timmons moved to approve the discretionary exemption and purchase; Commissioner Coos seconded the motion. The court recorded the vote as passing 4 to 0.

The county will purchase the land from Triple R Management LLC for $49,000, with closing costs of $5,878, for a combined purchase price of approximately $54,878. The court also approved payment of $500 as earnest money to the escrow agent Central Title Escrow for the transaction; that motion was made by Christian Ebarb and seconded by Commissioner Timmons and passed 4 to 0.

County officials said the 22.428-acre parcel lies immediately south of the airport and was formerly part of a larger tract associated with the Heritage House nursing facility. County leadership described the acquisition as a precautionary step to secure land intended for future runway extension and to avoid recurring permission processes when trimming trees that encroach on protected zones. "It'd be better if we owned the property, so that's what we're trying to do here on the South End," a commissioner said during discussion.

The purchase price equates to roughly $2,500 per acre, according to remarks at the meeting. The court noted it is also pursuing a separate approximately 3-acre parcel at the north end of the airport subdivision.

Votes at a glance: Motion by Commissioner Zephaniah Timmons; second by Commissioner Coos; vote 4–0 to approve discretionary exemption and purchase. Motion by Christian Ebarb; second by Commissioner Timmons; vote 4–0 to approve $500 earnest-money payment.