Board pulls FDR Phase 4 from FY16 draft amid questions about land donations and acquisition costs

Commissioners reviewed a revised CIP sheet for FDR Boulevard Phase 4 and questioned a property-acquisition line that rose from an earlier discussion figure of roughly $600,000 to $1.5 million in the current draft.

Staff explained the larger figure reflected the possibility of acquiring multiple parcels in a corridor rather than a single example parcel; commissioners pushed back, saying they had spoken with landowners who had indicated willingness to donate property and that the county should not budget large purchase amounts without signed donation agreements.

One commissioner said the county should “finish what we start” on work already underway and requested documentary proof of donations before committing to additional acquisitions. Another argued the board should be opportunistic on donations but not budget as though donations were certain.

After discussion, commissioners directed staff to remove the FDR Phase 4 project from the FY 2016 draft and to solicit donated land (and provide documentation) before including acquisition funding in the budget. Staff noted there is one small outstanding acquisition tied to work between Sanders Church Road and Peg Road that remains unresolved and clarified that the Phase 4 acquisition figure was separate from that ongoing property need.

Staff also warned that formal legislative approval is required if acquisition borrowing would exceed the county’s existing legislative authority; the draft included a borrowing plan tied to the CIP schedule so early notice to the legislature would be needed if additional borrowing were required.