Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Acquisition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kenosha County board refers proposed purchase of 11308 Burlington Road back to committee after 10–9 vote
Summary
The County Board voted 10–9 to send back a proposed $425,000 purchase of 11308 Burlington Road so staff can present a plan of use and fiscal analysis; supervisors cited weak comparables, lack of a clear plan and loss of tax base as reasons to delay a final decision.
Kenosha County supervisors voted 10–9 to refer a resolution to purchase 11308 Burlington Road back to the Finance & Administration and Public Works committees on July 21, after extended debate about appraisal methods, future use and fiscal risk.
Supervisor Decker, who moved the referral, said the board should not authorize a $425,000 purchase without answers about valuation and planned use. "This isn't about complying with chapter 9 80. This is about whether we should spend another $425,000 of taxpayer money without having adequate answers to some very important questions," Decker said, urging either a 'no' vote or referral for further review.
Opponents and proponents offered contrasting views. Supervisor Nudo questioned whether prior employee departures were firings and argued the county should avoid politicized personnel changes, but Decker and others focused on the land purchase. Corporation Counsel told the board the seller had made the offer contingent on board approval and that buying or selling county property requires board action; counsel also said acquiring the adjacent parcel could "allow us to sort of control the property and create a buffer around the property that we have" for security reasons.
Several supervisors criticized the market analysis used to set value. Decker noted the analysis relied on three comparables — one of which was the county's own earlier purchase — and argued that using that sale could distort fair-market comparisons. "If we believed those circumstances resulted in paying a premium, then I question whether that sale should now be used as evidence of fair market value for another purchase," Decker said.
Other concerns included the lack of a stated long-term use in the resolution. Supervisors urged clarity on whether the property would be demolished, sold, or converted to a veterans' home, treatment facility, or youth group home; several said such policy direction should be included before approving the purchase.
After the roll-call vote the board approved the referral 10 yes, 9 no. Because the referral passed, the underlying purchase resolution was not considered and will be revisited only after committees provide a plan of use and fiscal analysis.
The board’s next steps are procedural: committee review and a subsequent return to the full board if and when a plan and analysis are supplied.
