Committee sends proposal to sell former health‑department parcels to full legislature with 'do not recommend'

Staff told the committee that the parcels near the downtown Independence square previously housed the county health department. Following demolition of the building and removal of debris, the land is now green space. A county staff member said the parcels had not been declared park property, had not received federal funding that would require park designation, and are maintained by Public Works.

Legislator Donna Peyton asked whether parks and recreation maintain the land; staff replied they do not. Peyton and other legislators asked whether there had been reports of trespassing; staff said trespass occurred prior to demolition but not since. When asked why the county was seeking to sell the land now, staff said the county was not utilizing the parcels, they cost the county money to maintain and are off the tax rolls, and a sale could allow private improvements to benefit downtown Independence.

One legislator said the committee's preference is to retain county use of the land, including for housing, and moved that the committee send the resolution to the full legislature with a recommendation not to approve. A second supported the motion. The committee voted by voice to send the measure to the legislature as a whole with a recommendation not to approve.