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Infrastructure committee approves staff recommendation to sell 0.264-acre parcel at 2501 North 20 Eighth Avenue
Summary
The committee voted unanimously March 13 to proceed with selling an excess right-of-way parcel originally purchased in 2007; staff recommended selling at the original purchase price and offering the Village of Maine an 8.25-foot buyback option.
The Marathon County Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously March 13 to move forward with staff’s recommendation to sell a 0.264-acre strip of excess right of way at 2501 North 20 Eighth Avenue back to the parcel’s current owners.
The parcel was acquired by Marathon County in February 2007 from the Kalinski family for $15,118.98. County staff described options developed for committee consideration: (1) retain the land for possible future expansion (deemed unlikely); (2) sell the strip back to the current owners, William Balaga and Tracy Cousins, at the original purchase price; (3) sell at current fair market value; or (4) apply another valuation method based on home-value increases in the area.
Highway department staff advised the committee that selling at the original purchase price would require Runkel Abstract to complete a title search and deed preparation at a cost of $225, bringing the buyer’s total to $15,343.98 with closing costs to be paid by the buyer. Staff recommended that, if the county proceeds, the Village of Maine be offered the opportunity to buy back an 8.25-foot strip so the local right of way would measure 66 feet; staff estimated that purchase would be prorated and provided illustrative numbers under the staff recommendation (village cost approximately $3,032.32 and adjusted buyer net cost approximately $12,311.66 after the village buyback).
Committee members discussed the parcel in the context of the larger 20 Eighth Avenue corridor and reported coordination with the City of Wausau and the Village of Maine; staff said the city is expected to identify its route decision by June and the village has asked to be contacted before any sale of excess right of way so it can decide whether to repurchase strips adjoining its roads.
Supervisor Jensen moved to proceed with the staff recommendation; Supervisor Seibert seconded. The committee voted unanimously in favor.
Next steps — as noted in committee discussion — are for highway staff to proceed with the sale under the approved terms, complete title work with Runkel Abstract, and notify the Village of Maine before closing to allow the village to exercise the 8.25-foot buyback option.
