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Council approves purchase of North Widgeon property after amendment to recognize owner’s tax‑deduction request fails
Summary
Beaufort County Council voted May 27 to approve an ordinance authorizing acquisition of the North Widgeon property. An amendment that would have had the county execute IRS Form 8283 to recognize a $220,000 owner donation failed on a 5‑5 tie before the main ordinance passed.
Beaufort County Council on May 27 approved an ordinance authorizing the county administrator to execute documents to accept right‑of‑way and related conveyances for the North Widgeon property (six parcels) in a vote taken after an unsuccessful amendment on how to record an owner donation.
At second reading a council member moved to add preamble language acknowledging that the landowner had provided a tax appraisal valuing the property at $2,920,000 and to authorize the county administrator to sign IRS Form 8283 to confirm receipt of a $220,000 donation toward the conveyance. Council debate focused on potential liability and precedent from signing the IRS form; one member who formerly worked at the Internal Revenue Service said he opposed the change.
The amendment failed on a 5‑5 split in roll call. After that, council voted to approve the original ordinance authorizing the purchase and conveyance documents without the IRS Form 8283 language.
Why this matters
The property adjoins the county’s existing Widgeon Point holdings and was described in council discussion as important for conservation and public access. The owner’s appraisal and the requested donation recognition were the subject of competing concerns: securing the land versus exposing the county to potential administrative or legal risk by executing an IRS tax form on the owner’s behalf.
Votes and procedure
- Amendment to add preambles and authorize county execution of IRS Form 8283: motion failed 5–5 on roll call (votes recorded in the transcript). Several council members cited legal risk and the need for county policy guidance on accepting valuation acknowledgments. - Final ordinance authorizing acceptance of right‑of‑way and conveyance of North Widgeon property: approved by roll call vote.
Ending
Council approved acquisition of the North Widgeon parcels; the unsuccessful amendment means the county did not execute IRS Form 8283 to acknowledge the owner’s $220,000 valuation difference. Administration said it will pursue recommended policy guidance for similar future requests.
