Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities And Real Estate topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County accepts $500,000 buyout from City of Liberal for county share of Fifteenth Street Fire Station; approval 4-1
Summary
Seward County accepted a $500,000 offer from the City of Liberal to buy out the county—s share of the Fifteenth Street Fire Station, with the vote 4-1 and acceptance conditioned on legal documentation and a quitclaim or similar deed to clarify title and a county right of first refusal in the event of future sale.
Seward County commissioners voted 4-1 to accept a $500,000 buyout offer from the City of Liberal for the county—s portion of the Fifteenth Street Fire Station, with the sale to proceed pending legal documentation to protect county interests.
April Ward presented an offer letter from the City of Liberal stating the city would pay $500,000 for the county—s share and would extend to the county a right of first refusal if the city later decided to sell the facility. Staff recommended accepting the offer and authorizing county legal counsel to work with the city—s counsel to prepare the necessary documents, which Ward said likely would include a quitclaim deed or similar paperwork to show the chain of title and the reserved right of first refusal.
Commissioner Fuller moved to accept the city—s offer; Commissioner Abbott seconded. One commissioner voiced opposition during the discussion and said local population trends indicated limited growth, and that he was not in favor of the sale though he suggested the city appeared likely to exercise its rights. Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to approve the acceptance, and the motion included the condition that legal documentation be completed.
Commissioners sought clarification on how the $500,000 would be used. One commissioner asked whether funds could be applied to pay down the mortgage on the county—s existing building; staff confirmed remaining proceeds could be applied as directed and indicated the purchase and allocation of proceeds would be documented as part of the legal work.
The county—s acceptance is conditioned on execution of legal documents that staff will prepare with the city—s counsel to ensure the county—s reserved right is recorded.
