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Coffey County buys 1 acre in Gridley for radio tower site at $3,000
Summary
The Board of Commissioners authorized purchase of one acre at 572 Emmer Road in Gridley for $3,000 from Buyer Management Group, LLP to host a freestanding radio communications tower. Funds will come from the capital improvement reserve fund; work to remove an existing tower pad and install a 75-by-75 fenced equipment pad was discussed.
Coffey County commissioners authorized acquisition of a one-acre parcel at 572 Emmer Road, Gridley, for $3,000 to serve as the site for one of three planned radio communication towers.
Emergency management director Amber Presley presented the purchase and said the site already contains an older tower on a concrete pad that the county will remove and replace with a new freestanding tower and new concrete pad. The board voted to “authorize and direct the chairman to sign the land purchase agreement between Buyer Management Group, LLP and Coffey County” with funds to come from the capital improvement reserve fund. Commissioners discussed access and easement language in the agreement and confirmed the purchase is fee simple (not an easement) and includes a perpetual right of ingress and egress for access along a described inner or access road to the north of the property.
Construction and budget details: Presley said an initial quote to remove and prepare the site was $10,000–$15,000; the county budget includes $15,000 for that work and officials said costs may be lower because the contractor will already be on-site for related tower work. Motorola and the county’s tower vendor will determine the best location for a 75-by-75 fenced equipment pad within the purchased acre; the remainder of the acre will remain open. Commissioners also discussed nearby town agreements (Lebo and Leroy) and the need to finalize lease agreements; Presley said she expected to return with lease drafts and related documents in a future meeting.
Why it matters: The purchase secures a local site for a communications tower intended to improve county radio coverage. The county confirmed access language and that the purchase is a fee rather than an easement, and scheduled title work and closing steps; the purchase is to close on or before March 28, 2025 per the agreement timeline discussed.
Ending: The board directed staff to forward the signed agreement to the title company and to return with lease and construction details; commissioners asked that contractors and attorneys review agreements prior to construction.
