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Marion County Land Bank elects Mike Benick as chair, discusses marketing of Wilson Township parcel
Summary
The Marion County Land Bank Board elected Mike Benick chair in a 4–1 vote, approved the October minutes and a draft budget built from current receipts, and directed staff to evaluate auction and sealed-bid options for marketing a roughly 9–10 acre parcel split from the Poor Farm Cemetery.
The Marion County Land Bank Board elected Mike Benick chair after nominations from two members and a roll-call that the presiding speaker summarized as "4 for Mike, and 1 for Kent." The change followed a brief handoff of materials and a statement that Kent had intended to step down.
Board members approved minutes from the Oct. 6 meeting and reviewed the land bank's financial report, which shows one recent expenditure: a $1,700 survey for the Poor Farm Cemetery parcel. Staff reported an ending balance in the land bank fund of $15,005.39 and presented a draft operating budget based on current receipts and last year’s spending. Members moved to approve the draft budget for transmission to the Board of Commissioners for final action.
The board discussed its property inventory, identifying two parcels currently held: a narrow strip adjacent to County Lake and a larger acreage near the Poor Farm Cemetery. Staff said the property inventory will be published before Jan. 31 in accordance with state statute.
A large portion of the discussion focused on marketing and selling the Wilson Township parcel (described in the meeting as about 9–10 acres). Commissioners debated sale methods: sealed bids, an open market listing, or live/online auction. Members raised cost considerations for auctioneers—typical fees discussed ranged from about 5% to 10% and the possibility of a buyer’s premium on top of the bid price. Several members asked staff to contact auction firms for preliminary cost estimates and to report back; the board also agreed a special land bank meeting could be called to finalize the sale method.
No formal sale motion was finalized at this meeting. The board adjourned its portion of the session after approving the administrative items and scheduling follow-up for auction-cost inquiries.
