Hilliard council moves forward with Todd Jones' offer for Mikkelsen Estate after bidder presentations

The Hilliard Town Council voted to move forward with a purchase offer from local resident Todd Jones for the Mikkelsen Estate following presentations from competing bidders at the May 7 meeting.

Town Attorney Christian Waugh opened the discussion with an overview of the terms and offers received for the property. Todd Jones told the council his offer was higher and that he could provide a faster closing, and said he would use local contractors whenever possible. Courtney Graver and John Latshaw presented an offer on behalf of New Leaf; Graver said New Leaf would not be prepared to submit a revised offer that evening.

Council debate centered on the purchase amount and timing. Council President Kenneth A. Sims and Council Pro Tem Lee Pickett said price was the deciding factor, while Councilman Dallis Hunter said the town should adhere to the original due date and believed New Leaf deserved an opportunity to increase its offer. Joe Michaels moved to proceed with Jones's offer; the motion was seconded by Council President Sims and passed with Sims, Pickett and Michaels voting yes and Hunter voting no.

Attorney Waugh advised the council it could proceed with accepting Jones's offer and was authorized to negotiate the terms of the agreement on the town's behalf. The council did not record any further conditions or contingencies at the meeting.

Next steps: the town attorney was authorized to negotiate final terms and move toward closing; no closing date or final contract language was announced at the meeting.