County makes official bid on West Ward

Red Willow County commissioners Monday morning authorized County Attorney Paul Wood to put into writing a bid to purchase the former West Ward Elementary school and the city block on which it sits.

The decision to put a bid in writing came after an 11-minute closed session during commissioners' regular weekly meeting.

The former school property, in the 300 block of West Fourth and Fifth, is favored by the county's and the City of McCook's jail subcommittee as the site to build a proposed joint public safety center and jail.

Peter Coulter of Denver owns the property, having purchased it in December 2005 for $130,000. In July, Coulter asked commissioners to increase the tax valuation of the building and land from $127,030 to $385,680 because of their unique history and character; commissioners denied his request.