Hallock council approves sale of parcel 32.0008300 to local buyers with requirement to build home

The Hallock City Council voted unanimously Nov. 4 to sell the non-flood plain portion of parcel 32.0008300 to Ronald and Alicia Anderson for $8,000, with the condition that the purchasers intend to build a home.

Councilor Naomi Larson moved to sell the parcel; the motion was seconded by Councilor Jen Peterson and carried unanimously. Administrator Kendra Kroening told the council the tax-assessed value of the parcel is $1,300 and that the parcel is currently tax-exempt. Kroening said the city was able to get the required survey cost lowered to about $6,000 and that an abstract to split floodplain from non-flood plain would be roughly $700–$800.

Interested party Ronald Anderson, who addressed the council during the Old Business discussion, formally offered $8,000 for the non-flood portion and said he would maintain the gravel road leading to the site if the sale proceeded. A member of the public asked whether selling property without a public offering is legal; Mayor Dave Treumer replied that past practice allowed sales at assessed value if there was no competing interest and that the council wanted to encourage housing that would generate taxable income.

The council recorded the sale motion as passing unanimously. The council included in the motion the stipulation that the sale be tied to development of the parcel for a residence. The minutes show the council intends no immediate street improvements for the road to the parcel; Ron Anderson stated he would blade and maintain the road himself if he purchased the lot.

Next steps indicated in the minutes include completion of the survey and abstract to split floodplain from the sale parcel; the minutes do not list specific closing dates or contingencies beyond the development stipulation.