Griggs County Commission approves $20,000 offer for Decker Bridge property after closed-door negotiations

The Griggs County Commission voted Dec. 16 to authorize an offer of $20,000 for property related to Decker Bridge after a closed executive session to discuss negotiation strategy.

Commissioners moved into an executive session earlier in the special meeting to discuss negotiation strategy under a cited "subsection 9"; the commissioners returned to open session and voted to make an offer. The motion approved authorizes possession for $20,000, directing that the sum be divided as "48, 47 and 78" for purchase of the property with the remainder allocated to administrative costs, per the motion recorded in the meeting transcript. The motion was made by Edlin and seconded by Gabriel; the voice vote recorded Gabriel, Allison, Zorn, Edlin and Charmy as voting aye, and the motion carried.

Commissioners followed the meeting's executive-session discussion with a reminder that material discussed in executive session is to remain confidential. A staff member was named in the transcript as a point of contact for maintaining the confidentiality of the session.

The agenda listed only the Decker Bridge item for the special meeting. Commissioners referenced a single known potential seller who had set an asking price and said they wanted direction on negotiating strategy. The meeting record indicates the session was held to provide negotiating instructions to county negotiators and that any formal offer would be made after that closed discussion.

The transcript does not specify the legal citation for "subsection 9," the identity of the seller, parcel identifiers beyond the numeric breakdown read into the record, or the source of funds for the offer. The vote was recorded as a voice vote with five ayes and no recorded no or abstain votes.

No additional decisions, ordinance readings, or budget appropriations were recorded at the meeting. The commission adjourned after completing the Decker Bridge item.