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Meriwether County, town officials differ over proposed 44‑year fire station lease in Lone Oak
Summary
County staff briefed commissioners on a proposed 44‑year lease and purchase option for the fire station inside the town limits; town council sought shorter renewal periods and removal of mutual‑termination language, prompting further negotiation and a 45‑day response window.
Meriwether County staff on March 10 updated the Board of Commissioners on recent negotiations with the Town of Lone Oak (referred to in the packet) over a proposed lease and related options for a fire station inside town limits.
Staff told commissioners they presented the town with three options: execute the proposed lease (a 44‑year term), purchase the station at fair market value, or decline both options and have the county relocate the station while continuing to cover the town by the service delivery plan. County staff said the town asked to remove mutual‑termination language and asked for a shorter automatic renewal window (two or four years) rather than the 44‑year term proposed. The packet gave Lone Oak 45 days from March 3 to respond.
Commissioners stressed that moving the station could affect the town’s ISO rating and homeowners’ insurance and that the county prefers to keep the station in Lone Oak. Staff said construction costs for the building were roughly $400,000–$600,000. Commissioners also reported a lengthy town council discussion and conflicting legal advice from the town’s newer attorney about entering longer binding agreements. The county asked the town to submit any suggested changes in writing; staff received none before the March 10 meeting.
