PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
title
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SURPLUS AND DISPOSITION OF A COUNTY-OWNED PROPERTY TO THE TOWN OF SEWALL’S POINT FOR THE BENEFIT OF PUBLIC OR COMMUNITY INTEREST AND WELFARE
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Request for acceptance and approval of a Resolution for the surplus and disposition of a 0.23-acre County-owned property adjacent to the Sewall’s Point Town Hall. The subject property is currently leased to the Town of Sewall’s Point (TSP), and the lease term expires on May 10, 2026. The property is not currently needed for County purposes, and TSP has proposed purchasing the property for public or community interest and welfare.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: Carla T. Segura, FRP
Title: Real Property Manager
REQUESTED BY: Robert Daniels, Town Manager, Town of Sewall's Point
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
1. Contract/County Deed drafted by:
Martin County
2. Parties to the Contract/County Deed:
Martin County - Grantor
Town of Sewall’s Point - Grantee
3. Purpose of the Contract/County Deed:
Convey County-owned property currently needed by the Town of Sewall’s Point and no longer needed for County purposes
4. New/Renewal/Modification:
New
5. Duration:
Perpetual
6. Benefits to Martin County:
Convey County-owned property as surplus with continued use and in the best interest of the
public.
7. Cost to Martin County:
None - all fees to be paid by the Town of Sewall’s Point
Martin County acquired all assets of Southern Gulf Utilities, Inc., a Florida corporation (formerly Ecological Utilities, Inc.) by Warranty Deed dated July 15, 1981, and recorded in OR Book 526, Page 344, Public Records of Martin County. As part of that purchase, the County acquired the subject 0.23-acre parcel, measuring approximately 10,000 square feet, located adjacent to TSP’s Town Hall (the “Property”), which housed a water storage tank. Improvements to the County’s utility system made the storage tank obsolete, and the tank was removed from the Property in 2010.
In 2011, the County entered into a Lease Between Martin County Board of County Commissioners and Town of Sewall’s Point (the “Lease”) for the Property at an annual rent of $1.00. An approximate 418 square foot concrete storage building is now located on the Property. The Property has no road frontage, and its only access is shared via TSP’s adjacent property. The Lease is scheduled to expire on May 10, 2026. In anticipation of the expiration of the Lease term, TSP met with County staff to discuss the potential surplus and purchase of the Property by TSP instead of renewing the Lease.
In September 2025, TSP’s Commission approved moving forward with research and obtaining an appraisal of the Property. An appraisal was performed, and the fair market value of the Property was determined to be $50,000.
Staff recommends the Property be declared surplus and offered for sale at the appraised value to TSP.
Pursuant to Section 274.05, Florida Statutes, the Board has the discretion to classify as surplus any of its property that is obsolete and in the best interest of the County.
Pursuant to Section 125.38, Florida Statutes, if it is determined the Property is not currently needed for County purposes, the County may convey the Property to any Florida municipality for public or community interest and welfare for an amount agreed to by the Board of County Commissioners, without the requirement to publicly advertise.
Staff prepared a Vacant Land Contract (Contract) for sale of the Property to TSP at the appraised fair market value. Upon approval of the Contract, Staff will move forward with the closing to transfer the Property to TSP. All closing documents will be reviewed and approved by the Legal Department prior to closing. Due to the Property being Utilities-designated, funds obtained from the sale will be deposited into the Utilities Consolidated Operating Fund for the disposition of fixed assets.
ISSUES:
A Supplemental Memo will be submitted upon the Town of Sewall’s Point issuing an “approval to purchase” at their April 14th meeting.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, and staff have identified and addressed legal risks and developed strategies for legal defensibility, as applicable.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board:
(i) adopt a Resolution accepting and approving the surplus designation of the Property and the subsequent sale of the Property to the Town of Sewall’s Point, a municipal corporation of the State of Florida, for continued public and community interest and welfare; and
(ii) authorize the Chair to execute the Vacant Land Contract with the Town of Sewall’s Point, in the amount of $50,000, or such amount as determined by the Board; and
(iii) authorize the Chair to execute all documents necessary to complete this transaction.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide staff with alternative direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☒Other: County Deed