McPherson County approves contract-for-deed to acquire Eureka building, asks city to plot property

McPherson County commissioners voted to move forward with a contract-for-deed to acquire a city building in Eureka, approving a draft that staff said envisions three annual payments of $20,000 and directs the county to forward the document to the city for review.

The discussion centered on the title work and the property's legal description. County counsel Austin told the board the deeds available online and in the county record are handwritten and date to 1889 and 1900, making the legal description unclear. He recommended having the city pay to have the parcel professionally plotted and said a precise legal description will be required before the sale can be finalized.

Commissioners also debated terms that would protect the county from unexpected repair costs. Austin proposed language requiring the seller to test the curb-stop water shutoff within one year of signing the contract and to repair it at the seller's expense if it is not functional. Board members pushed back on provisions that could leave the county liable for costly repairs and discussed limiting the county's maximum exposure.

A motion to table the item was made but failed; the subsequent motion to enter the contract-for-deed and send it to the city for review carried. The board recorded the vote and instructed staff to deliver the draft to city officials, who may request changes that would return the matter to the commission.

The contract is structured as a three-year agreement under which the sale would not be finalized until the end of the payment period and a final legal description is inserted. The commissioners directed the county attorney and staff to continue negotiations and to ensure the title and easement documents (including any access easement) are filed and recorded as part of the chain of title.