Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Sale topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners authorize survey and appraisal for potential sale of parcel at Hampton Springs Park amid debate over historic value
Summary
After extended public comment and debate, the board approved a motion to pursue an appraisal and survey and to advertise an intent to sell part of Hampton Springs Park (roughly 4–8 acres were discussed), a step that will be followed by a public solicitation and further review of development restrictions tied to prior grants.
Taylor County commissioners on Wednesday voted to seek a survey and appraisal and to publish an intent to sell a portion of Hampton Springs Park, prompting extensive debate about historic protections, alternate civic uses and the appropriate stewardship of public property.
County staff said a privately owned business had expressed interest in acquiring 4–8 acres of a wooded tract adjacent to the park’s existing RV area. Staff described the parcel as being “behind the existing RV park” and not including the park’s historic spring, restroom improvements or the trailhead where previous state transportation funds were used. The administrator told the board the county would follow the required competitive processes — survey, appraisal, and advertised bidding — and that an appraisal and survey would cost approximately $5,500.
Board action and legal framework Commissioner Moody moved and Commissioner Neiman seconded a motion to approve the board’s intent to sell that portion, authorize a survey and an appraisal, and allow staff to prepare an advertisement for bids; the board approved the motion by voice vote. Staff said a budget transfer from reserves would be required to pay for the survey and appraisal and that the county could later require bidders to assume costs or set a minimum price after appraisal.
Concerns about historic restrictions and grant recapture Several commissioners and members of the public raised concerns about historic preservation and about whether prior grants placed restrictions on alienation of the property. County staff said the entire site has a master site file number from the Bureau of Historic Preservation and that some grants used on the park are more than 10 years old; the Bureau told staff there were no remaining restrictions tied to those historic‑preservation grants. Staff also said they were awaiting clarification from FDOT on whether earlier transportation-enhancement funding carried any recapture requirement. Staff told the board that if the trailhead portion were sold, proceeds up to approximately $700,000 (the amount of some transportation grants) could be required to be applied to the grant-funded improvements; staff said the parcel under discussion was distinct from the trailhead improvements, but they would confirm restrictions before any final conveyance.
Public comments and alternatives Public commenters urged the board not to sell historic parkland and proposed alternative uses, including a museum or keeping the site largely intact. Supporters of permitting an expansion by the adjacent business argued that selling a small portion could help local economic development and allow an existing nearby business to expand without affecting the core historic area. Several commissioners sought a middle path: authorize a limited parcel survey and appraisal so the board could assess value and potential restrictions before making a final sale decision.
Next steps and protections Staff recommended that any bidder be required to do due diligence and that development would still be subject to state historic‑preservation review. The board’s motion authorized the survey and appraisal and signaled intent to proceed to solicitation; the board reserved the right to reject any and all bids.
Ending: The board approved the appraisal and survey funding transfer and asked staff to return with appraisal and survey results, FDOT’s response regarding the transportation grants, and a recommended advertisement for bids; commissioners said they would evaluate results with attention to historic preservation and future county use.
