Commission sets aside $700,000 to position county for possible office building purchase

The Lincoln County Commission voted to appropriate $700,000 to position the county for potential building acquisition or relocation after a budget-committee recommendation.

Commissioner Ricky Bryant told the commission the committee recommended moving $700,000, split $350,000 from the fund balance and $350,000 from restricted economic and community development funds, so "the money was going to be there" if negotiations required quick action. Commissioners debated the prudence of earmarking funds before selecting a property; some members warned that setting aside money could create pressure to proceed and urged an ad hoc committee to evaluate properties and repair needs before purchase.

The motion passed on a roll call, recorded in the transcript as 18 yes and 3 no votes. The commission also recommended spending $15,000 to engage an engineer to inspect candidate buildings (US Bank building or hospital building) to inform negotiations, with an estimated rent example of $3,600 per month for seven years noted by staff as part of background material.

The commission tasked the finance director and an ad hoc team to continue negotiations and return specific purchase contracts to the commission for formal approval before any funds are spent.