Commissioners waive refusal right, allow land sale

Commissioners approved a request to waive the county's right of first refusal to purchase land adjacent to the Grays River Valley Center that is being sold.

Under a lease agreement with Robert and Lois Burkhalter, the county holds first right to purchase the land along the eastern side of Johnson Park if it comes up for sale. The Burkhalters want to sell the land to a grandson, and they asked commissioners to waive the right because the sale is to a family member.

Representing the Burkhalter family, Attorney Tom Doumit noted the lease agreement had never been recorded, but the county has made six years worth of lease payments on the lease, which expires at the end of 2015.

Commissioner Blair Brady moved to approve the waiver and to extend the current lease to the new property owners. The county pays $10 per year for leasing the strip of land where the exit to the center is located.