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Council approves North Widgeon acquisition after narrow vote to allow seller's tax-form acknowledgement
Summary
Beaufort County approved purchase of the North Widgeon property and, after debate, voted to allow the county administrator to sign IRS Form 8283 acknowledging a $220,000 difference the seller called a charitable contribution; supporters said it would not cost the county money, opponents worried about precedent.
Beaufort County Council approved the acquisition of parcels known as North Widgeon and adopted an amendment authorizing the county administrator to execute IRS Form 8283 to acknowledge a $220,000 difference between a seller’s appraisal and the county’s appraisal. Council members debated whether allowing the administrator to sign the IRS form would create a precedent or pose liability concerns.
Counsel and staff explained the county would not incur additional cost by signing the form but that the request came late in the process and had earlier failed at second reading on a 5–5 tie. Supporters argued the county would lose a valuable conservation parcel if it insisted on denying the seller's request; opponents said they were uncomfortable altering closing mechanics after negotiations had concluded. The amendment to add two preamble clauses and permit execution of Form 8283 passed on the floor (roll-call and voice recorded during the meeting), and the main ordinance subsequently passed.
County counsel noted both appraisals were certified and the difference—approximately $220,000—was not material to the county’s purchase price. The council instructed staff to bring forward a refined green-space policy to standardize handling of future requests so similar issues do not arise.
