Benton County panel approves sale of property

File Photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette Benton County's mobile command vehicle sits during an open house in Bentonville in 2007. Officials are considering selling the vehicle.
File Photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette Benton County's mobile command vehicle sits during an open house in Bentonville in 2007. Officials are considering selling the vehicle.

BENTONVILLE -- Benton County officials Monday approved selling its mobile command unit and the building that formerly housed the planning, building and environmental division offices.

The Board of Approval endorsed Judge Barry Moehring's plans to sell the command vehicle for $240,000 and the Bogle Building at 905 N.W. Eighth St. for $501,500.

Sale of county property

Under Arkansas law governing the sale of county property, each county has a Board of Approval made up of the sheriff, treasurer and circuit clerk, with the county judge presiding as a non-voting member. State law requires that county property valued at more than $2,000 be appraised and that the county receive no less than 75 percent of the appraised value of the property.

Source: Benton County

Polk County, Mo., made the $240,000 offer, which Moehring said is double the vehicle's assessment.

"The plan is to sell that vehicle at the end of the month. Between now and then Shawn [Holloway] will see if he can find a smaller, more nimble vehicle that meets his needs."

Sheriff Holloway told justices of the peace recently he wanted a smaller vehicle that gives him most or all of the capabilities of the command unit. Holloway said Monday early research identified three or four manufacturers but he hasn't obtained price estimates or submitted detailed specifications for a new vehicle.

"They won't give you a price until you start to spec things out," Holloway said.

Robert McGowen, emergency services administrator, said if the Sheriff's Office can't find a suitable replacement by the end of the month alternatives are available. He said Washington County has a command vehicle, as does the Arkansas State Police and the state Department of Emergency Management.

"We have access to others if needed," McGowen said.

The county paid $366,109 for the vehicle in 2007, according to Brenda Guenther, county comptroller. Upgrades in 2013 cost about $54,000.

The vehicle has built-in radio, satellite and telephone data and voice communication systems. It also has a weather-monitoring system and a 42-foot mast with cameras. It has a conference room with seating for seven people.

The unit has been deployed four times since November 2016, when it was used in a search for a missing woman near Siloam Springs, according to McGowen. It was used in two other searches and parked near the War Eagle Craft Fair as a radio repeater.

Otherwise, McGowen said, the vehicle has been used at various events as a cooling station and for "show and tell" school outings.

The vehicle was appraised at $120,000 as part of the process for selling or disposing of property, Guenther said.

The Bogle Building was advertised for sale by sealed bid. Dr. Doug Rinehart of Bentonville, through a real estate company, submitted the high bid of $501,500 for the 3,945-square-foot building, which is on a half-acre lot.

The building housed the Planning Division, Building Division and Environmental Safety Division. Those offices moved to the Public Services Building near the Road Department and Sheriff's Office on Southwest 14th Street. That building also houses the Public Defender, Veterans Services and Cooperative Extension offices.

The building was appraised at $546,689. Guenther said 75 percent of the appraised value would be roughly $410,000 so the highest bid met the threshold set by state law.

Bryan Beeson, the county's facilities administrator, said the building was constructed in the early 1990s as a medical clinic and office. The building was donated to the county in 2004 by the Robert L. Bogle Trust.

Guenther said $475,000 from the planned sale was included in the 2018 budget. The money will go into the general fund, Guenther said.

NW News on 09/18/2018

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