Council approves joint land agreement with county and budget adjustment to clear former school site

The Rexburg City Council on April 15 approved two related actions concerning a former school-district property: (1) a joint land ownership, maintenance and use agreement with Madison County covering the northern portion of the parcel, and (2) a budget adjustment to process asbestos abatement and demolition of the school and seminary buildings.

City staff described the joint-use agreement as a default arrangement that gives each party the right of first refusal on the other’s portion and sets an initial 50/50 split on maintenance costs and any revenue until a subsequent good-faith agreement is negotiated. The mayor noted the county commission has already signed the agreement.

Scott Miller and other staff explained the demolition will be paid through urban renewal funds; the city will process the payments and be reimbursed by urban renewal. Staff estimated abatement and demolition at roughly $1 million total, with about $700,000 expected this fiscal year and the remaining $300,000 in the next fiscal year. Council members pressed for clarity about timing and whether historic-preservation options have been exhausted; staff said an RFP is active and that moving or rehabilitating the seminary building would likely cost $1 million to $2 million and may not be feasible for the city’s budget.

Council moved, seconded and unanimously approved both the joint agreement and the budget adjustment. Council members encouraged continued outreach to preservation stakeholders while moving forward with the abatement schedule.