County reviews TIF reimbursements and a proposal to sell mineral rights; no sale action taken

County staff briefed the Public Improvements and Infrastructure Committee on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) reimbursements and the county’s capital improvements list and discussed a request from a private company to purchase mineral rights beneath county lands.

Staff said some TIF arrangements with a city provide for reimbursements to the county on certain projects. The committee was told TIF 2 has approximately $200,000 remaining in anticipated reimbursement, while TIF 2a has roughly $3,000,000 expected but that reimbursements on that project arrive slowly because they depend on project development and subsequent reimbursement timing.

On capital projects, staff explained there is a list of ongoing, anticipated and archived projects; some projects are actively pursued as funds become available while others are identified but lack foreseeable funding.

Commissioners also discussed a company request to buy the county’s mineral rights. Staff said a sale could not be made directly to the company and would require a public bidding process. The county currently receives oil-related income from its minerals — staff cited roughly $4,050,000 per year in oil interests — and noted a similar proposal was rejected about 15 years earlier. Commissioners generally advised no immediate action and preferred to gather commissioner-level comments before pursuing any sale process.

A motion to receive the staff report and the accompanying document was made and passed by voice vote; no motion to initiate sale of mineral rights was approved at the meeting.

Committee members asked staff to return with more information if commissioners wish to pursue a sale, including a recommended minimum bid and an inventory of other subsurface minerals and their values.

No formal decisions to advertise or sell mineral rights were made at the meeting.