Supervisors add real‑property negotiation for Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center after center outlines ag innovation plans

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on May 20 added an urgency closed‑session item to authorize negotiations over three parcels with the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center Committee, Inc., and heard a public presentation from the center’s manager on plans to expand agricultural research.

The board added the urgency item under Government Code 54956.8 after County negotiator Rebecca Trazas Baxter read the item into the record, identifying the properties by assessor parcel numbers APN 040130001, 040130002 and 048240016 and stating the negotiation would include “price and terms of payment.” Supervisor Peggy Price moved to add the urgency item; Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar seconded the motion, which carried on roll call.

Candice Nelson, manager of the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center, presented the center’s vision to reposition the Brawley research campus as the Imperial Valley Center for Agricultural Innovation. Nelson said the center would “drive innovation in agriculture through collaboration with industry, education, and the public and private sector,” and highlighted the county’s reliance on agriculture: “1 in every 6 jobs is ag related,” she said, and agricultural activity “contributes over $5,000,000,000 and nearly 20,000 jobs to the local economy.”

Nelson outlined the center’s priorities as irrigation efficiency, food safety and economic sustainability and described a strategy that combines private investment with state, local and federal grants to support local demonstration projects and workforce development. She said the center intends to serve as a regional hub for applied research and hands‑on learning with partnerships across education and industry.

Board members acknowledged the potential role of the research center in responding to recent crop losses in the county. Supervisor John Hawk told Nelson the board looks forward to supporting a transition toward new crops and innovation; Supervisor Peggy Price said ag research is “critical” after the county lost its sugar beet crop this year.

The board gave direction to staff to consider the urgency matter in closed session; Rebecca Trazas Baxter was identified as the agency negotiator and the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center Committee, Inc. as the negotiating party. No reportable action on the negotiations was made at the May 20 meeting.

Proponents of the center left packets and letters of support with the clerk’s office. Nelson said she had provided copies of support letters and a summary packet to board members.

The county’s action to add the negotiation item will allow staff and the named negotiator to discuss price and payment terms in closed session, as authorized by state law. The board’s closed‑session report later confirmed the urgency real property negotiation was discussed and that “direction was given” with no reportable action.