Committee authorizes sale of abandoned truck to scrapyard, approves short-term leases at Fritz and Gates Avenue

The Rusk County Property Committee authorized staff to solicit offers from three local scrapyards and empowered Administrator Ashley Heath to accept the most advantageous offer for an abandoned semi truck after no sealed bids were received. The committee also approved short-term leases at county facilities, including a roughly 3,000-square-foot lease at Fritz/Prince Avenue and a 1,000-square-foot lease at the Gates Avenue building.

On the abandoned truck, staff explained the property is under sheriff's jurisdiction as abandoned property and that the county received no sealed bids during the RFP period. Committee discussion covered options: attempt to obtain a new key (nearest Kenworth dealer is in Eau Claire), title the vehicle to the county using an MV form with a certified letter, auction the vehicle, or sell it for scrap. Staff advised that the county must have title to the vehicle even if it is junked or scrapped. The committee directed staff to contact local scrapyards and authorized Ashley Heath to accept the most advantageous bid; the motion passed by voice vote.

On leases, the committee approved a short-term lease for a tenant seeking approximately 3,000 square feet at Prince/Fritz Avenue (terms provided in the meeting packet) and approved a 1,000-square-foot lease for an equipment rental business at the Gates Avenue building. The Gates Avenue lease was structured as an initial 10-month term at $3 per square foot annually to align subsequent terms with calendar-year billing; staff said the tenant had already paid March rent and had moved some equipment into the space in good faith.

Ending: Staff will solicit scrap offers and report the highest offer to the committee if required; leases will be executed under the stated terms.