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Board authorizes purchase of 85 Kirkwood in Bridgeport for county Bridge Program after debate over costs and due diligence (3-2)
Summary
Mono County approved a $407,269 purchase of 85 Kirkwood St. to seed a pilot Bridge Program that would deed-restrict the property for local ownership. The purchase passed 3-2 after board members raised questions about repair estimates, insurance and a buyer pipeline; staff said $500,000 was originally allocated to the pilot program and additional repair costs remain uncertain.
Staff presented a negotiated purchase offer for a single-family home at 85 Kirkwood Street, Bridgeport, as part of a county pilot "Bridge" program to buy, deed-restrict (55 years) and resell homes to income-qualified local buyers. Planning staff said the property is habitable but has foundation issues that will require contractor estimates; an exterior inspection and staff review were completed and the county negotiated a purchase price with an allowance/credit for known repairs.
Housing staff summarized program intent: to invest public dollars to preserve homes for local households and to use deed restrictions to keep them affordable over time. The staff report noted the board previously allocated $500,000 to the pilot; the specific purchase price presented to the board was $407,269, to be drawn from the county's affordable housing fund or the local housing trust fund. Staff emphasized the pilot nature of the program and said additional repair costs were unknown until contractors produce detailed estimates.
Several supervisors raised concerns about due diligence and long-term costs: insurance availability, likely additional repair costs (foundation work could exceed the preliminary $25,000 estimate), the county's public-works contribution, and whether a ready pool of qualified buyers exists in the North County. Supervisor Peters and others asked that future items include inspection reports, insurance quotes, more detailed pro formas and an estimate of county staff/repair costs. Proponents argued the program is one practical tool to secure owner-occupied housing for local families and noted comparable programs in other jurisdictions routinely invest six-figure sums to rehabilitate and deed-restrict units.
After extended discussion, the board voted 3-2 to authorize the purchase. Two supervisors recorded no votes in favor and several asked staff to return with more detailed documentation on planned rehabilitation steps and buyer outreach as the transaction proceeds.
