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Court approves transfer of roughly 4.5 acres of Black River Park to City of Pocahontas
Summary
After learning the county held title to about 4.5 acres used by the city as Black River Park, the court voted to authorize a transfer to the City of Pocahontas and signaled a resolution would be prepared next month; the city plans levee and drainage work conditional on the transfer.
The Randolph County Court voted to authorize the transfer of approximately 4.5 acres currently used as Black River Park to the City of Pocahontas, after a city representative told the court the parcel is county-owned though the city has maintained and improved the park for years.
A presenter told the court the site—about 4.5 acres—had been treated as city property for years. He described planned flood-mitigation work: building a levee (estimated up to about 10 feet at its tallest, with an 8-foot old pass), adding drainage pipes and backflow preventers, and installing two drain towers. The presenter said the city would provide engineering and the adjacent landowner would supply dirt and tractors; the city would assume maintenance if the county transferred the parcel.
Justice Williams moved to transfer the county property to the City of Pocahontas; Justice Nelson seconded the motion. The chair called for the ayes and the court voted in favor. The court recorded the motion as approved and directed staff to prepare a resolution for formal action at the next meeting.
During discussion, justices and other speakers said there would be no cost to the county for construction, maintenance would remain the city’s responsibility after transfer, and the transfer would help the city apply for grants tied to the property. The court recorded no recorded opposition during the voice vote.
Next steps noted in the meeting: county staff will prepare a formal resolution and the court will consider it at a subsequent meeting; the presenter indicated additional engineering and coordination with state rights-of-way may be required before construction begins.
