After receiving two appraisals from two separate appraisers, the Humboldt County School Board of Trustees will move forward the sale of 10 district-owned parcels near French Ford Middle School. The proceeds of the sale would be used to buy equipment and materials for the Boys and Girls Club, including the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math center.
Superintendent Dr. Dave Jensen said the district could purchase computers and other needed equipment with the money derived from the sale.
The land in question consists of 5.23 acres divided into 10 half-acre parcels. Per Nevada Revised Statutes, district owned land requires two appraisals. Daniel Leck, chosen by State Superintendent Dale Erquiaga, said in his appraisal, the value of the 10 parcels is $450,000.
Jack Martin, the appraiser chosen by Jensen, said eight of the ten parcels had a market value of $52,000 each ($416,000) and two parcels had a value of $46,000 each ($92,000) for a total of $508,000. Jensen said he would ask Martin for a fair market value for the parcels when sold together.
The intention of the board is to sell the parcels in a bundle instead of individually. One issue with several of the parcels is that a powerline cuts across them, which impacts their value and saleability.
Board counsel John Doyle recommended not hiring a surveyor to redraw the parcel lines impacted by the power lines. He said selling the properties in bulk and allowing the purchaser to redraw the lines would save the district a few thousand dollars in fees.
Doyle also said the process of selling the parcels was a convoluted one. Closed bids would be received by the district and the district is not allowed to accept bids below the fair market value provided by the appraisers.
Jensen and Doyle said they had more work to do before the actual bid process could begin, but that the board could approve the moving forward of the sale.
At a June school board meeting, Jensen brought the idea of selling the parcels to trustees as a way to fund the equipment and materials purchases the district has committed to for the rec center. Because of how the school district is funded, it cannot simply hand over a check as a contribution, Jensen said. At that meeting, Jensen was given the go-ahead to seek quotes for appraisals for the property.[[In-content Ad]]
