Benton County supervisors approve sale of former animal shelter after court clears title

The Benton County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the sale of the county-owned property that formerly housed the animal shelter after a court quiet-title judgment determined the county holds fee simple title free of earlier restraints.

The decision followed public comment from adjacent landowners and estate trustees who said an earlier deed from Ida Edmonds had limited the parcel’s use to a wildlife refuge. "It's never been a wildlife refuge area. It's a silly place to be a wildlife refuge area," said John Elwick, a trustee for the Genent Elwick Estate, during public comment. Elwick and other adjacent landowners urged the board to pursue a land swap or to remove a private water line that crosses their farmland.

The legal background was described to supervisors by David Thompson, the county attorney, who outlined the court proceedings that led to a judgment clearing recorded restraints on the parcel. "The court found in favor ... calling this…