Commissioner Mitchell urges caution on buying potential transit facility; board hears options

Commissioner Mitchell reported that the Osceola Transit Authority has discussed purchasing an old radio‑station building located across the street from a transit facility and outlined three options: buy now, make an offer, or rent the property until a six‑month service survey determines the best location for a new facility and whether state or federal funding will be available. "Personally, I I am against it," Mitchell said, arguing it would be premature to purchase property before the study is complete.

Mitchell told the board the six‑month survey is intended to analyze service needs and to advise where a new facility might best be located; he also noted the possibility of merging service with the city of Big Rapids and said any purchase might be subsidized in part by state or federal funds but would not necessarily be fully funded. Mitchell recommended waiting for the survey results and suggested renting the building as an interim option so the county or transit authority could better assess costs and operations before committing to a purchase.

The board took the comment under advisement; no formal procurement action or funding authorization for a property purchase was recorded in the meeting minutes.