Madison County moves to schedule public hearing on sale of Public Health building as part of accessibility planning

Madison County supervisors voted to place a resolution on an upcoming agenda to set a public hearing date for the potential sale of the county-owned Public Health building, a step board members said could generate funds to pay for accessibility improvements to county facilities.

A board member (identified in the transcript as Speaker 2) said the county is "thinking selling a building" to provide funds to update the courthouse and, if necessary, the annex. The board discussed preparing a transition plan and documentation of an ADA self-evaluation to guide how any proceeds would be used.

The board did not adopt a final plan to sell the property at the meeting; instead members agreed to publish a public hearing and consider whether to accept bids or proceed based on an appraisal or reserve price. A building appraisal figure of roughly $500,000 was referenced in discussion as a reference point for the property’s market value.

Board members also discussed operational considerations if services are moved (telephone/cabinet savings, workspace needs), privacy requirements for veterans services, and whether leasing is an alternative to outright sale. Multiple members urged forward planning but emphasized the need for further study and public notification before approving any sale.

The board asked staff to prepare a resolution to set a hearing date and to circulate options for dates; they also requested that any ADA self-evaluation and safety walk-through findings be used to shape the transition plan before a final decision on disposition and use of proceeds.

No formal sale motion or vote to dispose of the building occurred during the meeting; the board’s immediate actions were procedural — publishing a hearing and scheduling follow-up materials. A separate vote earlier in the meeting approved the day’s amended agenda that included the sale-discussion item.