Carroll County EDA accepts $425,000 auction bid, authorizes Mike Watson to complete sale

The Carroll County Economic Development Authority voted Dec. 16 to accept the highest bid of $425,000 from a public auction held Nov. 1 and authorized Mike Watson to sign the documents needed to complete the sale.

A board member moved: “The highest bidder offered $425,000, which I moved to accept and authorize Mike Watson to sign all documents to complete this transaction.” The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the presiding officer announced it passed unanimously.

The decision came after the board completed routine business, including approval of the November meeting minutes and the treasurer’s report and payment of invoices. During the treasurer item a speaker identified themselves as having worked 22 years at Skyline National Bank.

Earlier in the meeting the board voted to convene a closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Returning to open session, the presiding officer read a certification stating that, to the best of the members’ knowledge, “only public business matters lawfully exempt from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act were heard, discussed, or considered in the closed session.” Each member then verbally certified that statement.

There were no public speakers during citizens’ time. With no other business, the EDA moved to adjourn.

The board did not provide further details in the meeting transcript about the property sold, the identity of the successful bidder, or specific vote tallies beyond unanimous voice approvals. Mike Watson did not speak during the recorded segments; the board authorized him to sign the sale documents.