Pulaski County has completed a second appraisal of county-owned farmland.
The request was made several weeks ago by the county commissioners to ensure the value of the land near Winamac was indeed fairly determined by an initial report. Cash from selling the farmland will likely be used to acquire another piece of farmland near Medaryville for the development of the westside rail-served industrial park.
CDC Executive Director Nathan Origer has been managing the day-to-day of the transition. He says a joint session between the commissioners and the county council needs to be held soon.
“Even if it doesn’t go through, at least everyone knows all the details and has an idea if we sell it at all. If we sell it to fund it, sell it for courthouse repairs, don’t sell it. Just so everyone is up to speed together.]
Commissioner Bud Krohn, Jr. has suggested using the money for updates to the county courthouse.
The second appraisal confirmed the value of the land with a per acre price within range of the initial report. The exact figure was not discussed during Monday night’s commissioner’s meeting. Under the advice of County Attorney Kevin Tankersley, a legal survey is being completed on the land as well.
Last week, the Pulaski County Council gave approval for sale of land over a certain point of value. To prepare for the plans, Origer says ordinances may be written to approve the sale and purchase of land at any point in the future.
“There’s Indiana Code language that says the council does have to approve any sale of property over a certain value,” says Origer. “So they gave the first green light to keep moving forward with the farm if we opt to sell that as well as the County Home.”
The Pulaski County CDC has spent months working to identify property for purchase on the west side of the county.
The landowner has agreed to a price, making sale of the farmland near Winamac the next piece in the transaction.
