The Vance County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to form an ad hoc committee to negotiate the final disposition of the Vance County Historical Society’s museum (otherwise known as the Southern National Bank or First National Bank building) as well as the former library on Rose Avenue.
The vote was made at the Monday evening’s regular meeting.
County Manager Jerry Ayscue reported that the county’s Property Committee had recommended that the ad hoc committee meet with the City of Henderson to discuss the two jointly owned properties. He also said that Property Committee made recommendations as to the disposal of the museum.
The county’s Property Committee consists of Commissioners Deborah Brown, Dan Brummitt, and Eddie Wright.
According to Ayscue, the committee recommended that the museum be sold for at least $60,000, its appraised value.
In 2007, the Board of Commissioners and the Henderson City Council agreed to a plan presented by local historian Tem Blackburn to use money from the sale of the building to construct photographic display kiosks and artifact cases for the Historical Society’s exhibits. It has been a matter of debate as to whether the proceeds will cover construction costs.
The County Manager also stated that the Property Committee had no final recommendation regarding the former library.
It is widely believed that the County would like to acquire sole ownership of the property for office space.
Ayscue told members that the museum must be declared surplus by Henderson and well as the county for the sale to move forward. A motion by Commissioner Dan Brummitt declaring the museum surplus, contingent on the city doing the same, passed without opposition.
A further motion forming the ad hoc committee also passed unanimously. It is unclear which members of the County Commission will form that committee. Since the City of Henderson has yet to form committees, it is equally unclear which members of the Henderson City Council it will meet with.