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Madison County supervisors ask administrator to negotiate purchase of two parcels adjacent to tax offices
Summary
Tax assessor and tax collector asked the board to reconsider buying two contiguous parcels to allow future expansion of tax offices; board authorized administrator to negotiate a purchase price and return with terms.
Madison County supervisors voted March 3 to ask the county administrator to negotiate a purchase price for two parcels contiguous with the county tax office building to provide space for future expansion.
Tax Assessor Norman Kennedy told the board he and Tax Collector C.J. Garavinelli want the county to acquire the two parcels so the offices can plan for long-term growth and to handle workloads that have stretched existing space. "We have pretty much maxed out where we can take things at that facility," Kennedy said. He said the county has added parking in the past and that having adjacent land enabled that expansion.
Garavinelli told supervisors the offices together employ about 25 people and that most staff spend at least part of each day interacting with the public. He said January collections were substantial and that online options, while growing, will not eliminate the need for in-person services. He said the county has added e-checks and reduced credit card fees to increase online payment options.
Several supervisors said the county is preparing for future population growth and infrastructure needs and that buying the land now would lock in an option they expect will become more expensive. The board made a motion asking the county administrator to negotiate and bring a purchase price to the board for consideration; the motion passed on a voice vote with supervisors voting "aye." The motion directed staff to return the negotiated terms to the board for final approval.
The board did not adopt a purchase at the March 3 meeting; supervisors asked the administrator to pursue negotiations and report back. The tax assessor provided historical appraisal references and said the county's taxable value has grown significantly since earlier moves of county offices.
The board's action was procedural: staff will report negotiated price and recommended terms at a later meeting for the board to consider formal acquisition and any budget or funding approvals needed.
Ending: The administrator will return to the board with a proposed price and terms for the two parcels; no purchase was finalized at the March 3 meeting.
