Residents, board spar over sale of Pickett Park as relocation questions loom

Residents and business owners urged supervisors to reconsider the proposed sale of roughly 53 acres of Pickett Park, saying the property generates revenue, supports local businesses and that selling it could force displacement of people who live or store campers there. Jed (speaker 9) told the board, “if you proceed to sell it, it's actually gonna be a very, very bad thing for the county,” and warned of long‑term tax impacts if the county loses the park's revenue.

County staff explained that the Ward Burton Foundation offered $700,000 for the barracks area and that the funds would come via REPI (a federal program to address military encroachment). County legal staff and a REPI representative said the program’s funding source and timing could create eligibility and displacement questions. Drilling down on potential obligations, a public commenter noted the Uniform Relocation Assistance rules and urged the board not to proceed without legal review; county counsel agreed to investigate whether federal receipt of funds would trigger relocation payments or other requirements.

After discussion and competing motions, an initial motion to approve the sale failed. The board then voted to table and carry the matter to a work session so staff and counsel can confirm whether federal relocation law or REPI conditions would make the county liable for relocation assistance, and to clarify any conditions tied to the $700,000 offer. The board recorded no final sale action at the meeting; the matter will return for further review.