County throws another "monkey wrench"
By Lee Melsek
lmelsek@gmail.com

Monday, Aug. 17 - Lee County has thrown another surprise at town officials in the negotiations to take over Bay Oaks.

The Town Council, hoping to take ownership of the Bay Oaks complex by Oct. 1, learned Monday night that the county has place what the town attorney called "serious restrictions" on the property deeds it will give the town.

The wants to prohibit the town from selling or renting the land without county permission, and says the land must always be used as a park. If either of these conditions are violated the land and center revert back to the county.
The restrictions surprised and disappointed some town officials.
Both of these restrictions "are things we never agreed to," Town Attorney Ann Dalton told the council. "I am very disappointed. I'd hoped we'd be on a fast track and be done in September. We will be squeaking right up to the wire."

The "wire" is Oct 1, which the county staff claims is the date they no longer will operate the center and its programs for seniors and kids.
The staff's claim seems to contradict what Commissioner Ray Judah told Bay Oaks members and the council earlier this summer when he vowed that the center would not be closed. But Judah's staff keeps telling the council the county will close the center if the town doesn't take it over by Oct. 1.
The county's deed restrictions proposal left the council dazed and scrambling for answers on what to do next. They'll talk about it again at a workshop Wednesday.

The county's latest financial offer is to give the town $490,000 in transition money but Councilman Tom Babcock said that won't be enough to do all of the things the financially strapped town needs to do.

An engineer is currently assessing the center's roof to see if it can repaired or if a new roof is needed. If a new roof is needed Babcock said the $490,000 won't be nearly enough.

Mayor Larry Kiker refused to hear any discussion on programs being cut or discontinued. He said of Judah's promise to keep the programs intact, "we need to hold them to it this time."


Want to respond to this coulumn? E-mail Lee Melsek with your own opinions. lmelsek@gmail.com



<<< BACK

If you'd like Tidelines mailed to your home or business each month call Lee at 470-3407 and let him know. It's free.