4. Jail-purchase of additional property

CASSCOUN1Y GOVERNMENT ..I.. Auditor Michael Montplaisir, CPA Re: 701,241,5601 Treasurer Charlotte Sandvik 701,241,5611 Director of Equalization Frank Klein 701,241,5616 October 17, 2008 Board of County Commissioners Cass County Government 211 9th St S Fargo ND 58103 Potential for land purchase near the jail site Dear Commissioners: From time to time the idea of acquiring additional land at the site of the new jail has been contemplated. I, Chairman Pawluk, and County Administrator Bonnie Johnson have had a conversation with Robert VanRaden, who represents the owners of the land directly south of the land owned by the county. I have had several follow-up conversations with Mr. VanRaden and would like to present an option to the Commission. The land in question is a strip of land 200' wide lying directly south of the south lot line of Cass County Corrections Addition between 34th Street and the water retention pond to the east. The 200' wide strip would be approximately 6 acres and would give the county some options should we ever look at building on the jail site. The current site has room for future jail expansion to the east and room for a law enforcement center in front of the current jail; however, parking may be an issue should a law enforcement center be built. Mr. VanRaden is offering to sell the 200' strip for $860,000 in cash and approximately $120,000 in assumption of special assessments that can, of course, be paid over a number of years. The cash is available in the Jail Building Fund and I think it complies with the voter intent on authorization of the sales tax for the jail property. This offer would work out to a little less than the $4.00 per square foot Mr. VanRaden was originally contemplating. The land in question currently has black dirt stored on the site that will be needed by both the county and Mr. VanRaden when the area is developed. If the county were to develop the land first we would be responsible for moving the dirt further south on the remaining land controlled by Mr. VanRaden for their later use. It is not believed that either party has any immediate plans for development. In addition, Mr. VanRaden would be agreeable to grant the county an option to purchase an additional 200' strip south of the purchased property at a price of $4.00 per square foot for one year following the original purchase. Sincerely, 21lNB~~806 S h ~.A;:/~~- mt treet out Michael ~tpl~i~i'r Fargo, North Dakota 58103 Cass County Auditor Fax 701,241,5728 www.casscountynd.gov