Commissioners approve sale of 10-acre Lower Frederick farm to keep property in agricultural use

County staff told commissioners on June 25 that a bequeathed 10-acre farm in Lower Frederick, which the decedent intended to preserve, has been transferred to county ownership and preserved; staff recommended selling the parcel to an interested owner who will farm it in perpetuity.

Ann Leviter explained the county planned to dispose of the property using GovDeals, the county’s property-disposition website, and that the parcel had been appraised at $12,500 per acre, establishing a minimum sale price of $116,875. A commissioner moved to approve the resolution authorizing the sale as described; another commissioner seconded the motion and the board approved it unanimously.

The presenter said the sale was consistent with the owner’s intent that the property remain farmland and that county staff had fielded multiple inquiries from potential buyers willing to farm the land. Commissioners did not debate alternative dispositions at length and directed staff to proceed with the sale process as described.

The vote was recorded as carried ('I. Motion carries.'); the meeting record shows all three commissioners present and the motion carried by voice vote.