County Manager Jerry Ayscue proposed during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Vance County Board of Commissioners that the two parties who had expressed an interest in obtaining the Vance Manor building be offered options to buy for $3,000 each.
Each party would be given 30 days to exercise their option; otherwise, the building would be authorized for public sale.
The two parties who have expressed interest in the currently boarded-up building are Gateway Community Development Corporation and the Vance County Learning Center.
County Attorney Jonathan Care told members that the proposal does not comply with state law on how the county must sell real estate. He said that the county is allowed to provide real estate at reduced rates to non-profits, but it cannot give preferential treatment for a sale.
Ayscue responded that he understood that the property would have to be advertised.
Care went on to indicate that the county only has flexibility in disposing of foreclosure properties.
Member Dan Brummitt suggested that the commission move to make the interested organizations aware of the sale, wait 30 days, and then open the property for upset bids.
The members of the commission reached consensus on Brummitt’s suggesting. Commissioner Terry Garrison agreed it would good that no one would get preferential treatment.