Commissioners 'pass' on real estate purchase

Back in open session following a 25-minute closed session at the end of their regular weekly meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a motion to decline to enter into a contract "to purchase any real estate at this time."

No one disclosed the location of the property for which commissioners had authorized county attorney Paul Wood to negotiate. McNutt said they were being "so secretive" because, in the past, "we try to buy something, and we get undermined. Trying to buy West Ward proved that."

Commissioners had agreed in late 2005 to purchase the former McCook elementary building and city block for $50,000, when its owner, D. Jon Morrison, negotiated a better deal with Peter Coulter of Vail and Sheridan, Colo., who bought it for $130,000. (Morrison had purchased the building and block from McCook Public Schools for $65,000.)

Attempts by commissioners in mid-2006 to purchase the property from Coulter fell through when he refused to pick up a certified letter outlining the county's purchase offer. During negotiations with the State of Nebraska to increase the property's tax valuation from $127,030 to $385,680 -- at Coulter's request -- Coulter told officials he had a buyer in June 2006 willing to pay "in excess of $300,000" for the property.

Morrison eventually got the property back when Coulter failed to make his payments. The City of McCook purchased the West Ward property earlier this year for $100,000.

Commissioner Leigh Hoyt said Monday that he hoped it was evident that commissioners "had learned our lesson well" throughout the West Ward ordeal.

"The door is open if we want to do something later," said commission chairman Earl McNutt.

Legally, commissioners can discuss negotiations for the purchase of real estate in closed session.