Martin County agrees to buy two surplus school properties for $100,000 total

The Martin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to acquire two properties from the Board of Education under N.C. G.S. §115C‑518. The county will buy the Edna Andrews School property in Hamilton for $60,000 and the former Williamston Middle School property for $40,000, both purchased "as is" at negotiated prices.

County Manager David Bone explained the statutory process required the Board of Education to offer surplus school property to the board at fair market or negotiated price; Superintendent Chris Mansfield had forwarded the offer. Commissioner Elmo “Butch” Lilley moved to approve the purchases and Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond Jr. seconded; the board approved both motions unanimously.

Finance Director Cindy Ange presented Budget Amendment #15 to appropriate $100,000 of fund balance to cover the purchases; the board adopted the amendment by motion. County officials were authorized to execute documents required to complete the acquisitions.

The purchases are handled under the statutory disposition procedures for surplus school property; the board provided direction to staff to complete closing documents and return any required paperwork to the board as needed.