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Commission deadlocks on Pirates Cove contract approach; motion to sign purchase contract first fails 2–3
Summary
A motion to sign a purchase contract first — at the seller’s request — for the Pirates Cove land acquisition failed 2–3 after commissioners disagreed over changing the county’s standard contracting sequence.
A plan to make Pirates Cove acreage acquisition more attractive to the seller by signing the county’s purchase contract before the seller did not gain board approval.
Commissioner Jeff Kennard moved that the county sign the purchase documents first — a step the seller had requested to let her take the contract to an attorney — and Commissioner Holly Davis seconded. Commissioners considered the unusual request during discussion about a possible purchase the board previously approved in principle. Commissioner Janet Barrick asked how many days the seller still had to sign and reaffirmed that the county follows a standard procedure for contracts; she said the county should not deviate from its routine process without reason. Commissioner Diana Finnegan and Commissioner Jeff Kennard argued the county should accommodate the seller to close the deal. Commissioner Barrick and the chair (Rebecca Bays) expressed reservations.
When the motion to sign first was put to a vote, it failed 2–3. Commissioners Kennard and Davis voted in favor; three commissioners opposed or withheld approval. No funds were exchanged and the matter remains open for further negotiation.
Why it matters: The county has been negotiating purchase terms for months. The seller’s request to change the typical contract-signing sequence was intended to allow her time to consult counsel, but a majority of commissioners declined to alter standard procedure.
What's next: The negotiation remains active but the county will not sign first under the motion as proposed; staff and the buyer-seller representatives will need to determine next steps if both parties want to continue negotiating.
