Commissioners debate acquiring last eight Mayo Road parcels rather than using eminent domain

Commissioners discussed the status of rights-of-way acquisition for Mayo Road as staff described progress and remaining obstacles.

Staff reported about 45 parcels were part of the project and 37 have been acquired; roughly eight parcels remain where owners either said a hard no or will not engage in negotiations. Kevin Kirby told the board the remaining parcels are valued at about $200,000 on the county schedule and recommended budgeting $500,000 to acquire those last parcels if the board prefers to avoid eminent domain.

Commissioners debated precedent and fairness. One commissioner asked whether the county would allow a few owners to “dictate” progress after many neighbors sold property to enable paving. Staff said policy provides for eminent domain where necessary, but that the decision is a broader policy choice for the board.

Kirby framed the acquisition ask as a practical budget choice: "If this board is inclined to fund, I would recommend 500,000. The dirt's worth $200,000." He also said that the current project expenditures to date are roughly $1 million. The board did not adopt a final action during the workshop; staff solicited direction on whether to include the acquisition budget in the coming proposed floor budget.