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Washington County committee briefs members on land bank incorporation, early funding and parcel-selection plans
Summary
The committee was told incorporation paperwork for a county land bank is filed, an EIN is pending, operating grant work is under way ($100k–$200k) and staff expect roughly $2 million for first-year projects; members discussed selection criteria, oversight, and potential restrictions on future owners.
County staff updated the Economic Development Committee that incorporation documents for a county land bank have been filed and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is pending, which staff said is required before applying for project funding.
"We are in the process of filing for operational funding which will be something between $100,000 to $200,000 which will allow NRDC to ultimately hire somebody to oversee projects within Washington County," the staff member said. The staff member also said the committee is anticipating about $2 million in funding for the first year to support property rehabilitation or demolition and redevelopment work, though timing and exact funding sources were not specified.
Staff described the planned process: compile a list of county-owned and 1138-listed parcels, screen them for suitability (rehabable homes, demolition candidates or shovel-ready commercial parcels), and present roughly a dozen candidate properties to the committee for review. Committee members asked for simple selection criteria and documentation to guide decisions and for protections such as liens or long-term covenants to prevent quick resale that would forfeit public investment.
Members discussed ownership and affordability requirements for eventual buyers and whether restrictions should be time-limited (for example, a 30-year lien) so properties can eventually be sold to owners able to maintain them. One member expressed concern about turning properties over to buyers who could not sustain upkeep; staff said transfer agreements would include covenants and enforcement mechanisms.
The committee also discussed where land-bank reviews should be processed within county governance (economic development versus planning) and whether the land bank board should regularly brief this committee. Staff said the land bank is a separate 501(c)(3) but will take direction from Washington County and that any deed transfers would require board action.
Next steps: staff will assemble the parcel list, seek the EIN, continue pursuit of operational funding and return with documentation and recommended selection criteria for committee review.
