County accepts Suwannee River Water Management District donation to resolve Lance Water receivership

Columbia County commissioners voted to accept a donation of property from the Suwannee River Water Management District that county staff said will let the county move to dissolve a receivership over Lance Water and return the utility to owner Lance Hill.

County staff member Joel told the board he circulated “a copy of the court's order vacating that consent final judgment from back in 02/2017,” and said the vacatur “now positions us to be able to lift the receivership over Lance Water, return Lance Water back to its owner, mister Lance Hill.”

Joel said the land the district offered includes the wellhead used by Lance Water and that possession of the district parcel would allow the county to resolve disputed residential property lines, acquire potential future right-of-way for Buck Glen, and remove the district’s ownership of the well so the county can transfer it. “I’m asking for approval of the donation so I can move forward, and then I will be proceeding with lifting the receivership,” Joel said.

Several commissioners raised questions about recorded easements that cross the parcel and whether any easement language should be explicitly included in the county’s acceptance. Joel and other staff said recorded easements “run with the land” and would remain in effect regardless of ownership, but staff agreed to verify the easement language and call it out in the county paperwork where helpful.

Commissioners discussed strategy: one member warned that counteroffers could cause the district to withdraw its current offer; Joel recommended accepting the donation to “get it under your wing” and then negotiate for additional properties if needed. Board members also said they expect to work with Lance Hill after the receivership is lifted so he can “get his feet under him” and identify which lines and parcels the utility needs to operate.

The motion to accept the district's donation passed on a recorded motion and second. Staff said acceptance will let the county pursue lifting the receivership and then negotiate with Mr. Hill about restoring full ownership and operation of the utility. Staff also said they will verify recorded easements before completing the transfer.

Timing and follow-up: staff described a court order vacating the 2017 consent judgment as already circulated to commissioners; staff will continue negotiations with Lance Hill and confirm easement records before finalizing property descriptions and transfers.

The board took the action during its regular meeting with no additional funding required for the acceptance itself; subsequent negotiation steps and any conveyances will be returned to the board if they require further approvals.