Commissioners debate eminent domain, set-aside for Mayo Road right-of-way

Public-works staff updated the board on dirt-to-pave conversions and the procedural steps required to convert Mayo Road, noting that engineering, survey and legal work are complete for the project and that a small set of remaining owners hold the final parcels needed.

Public Works Director (Kevin Kirby) explained the process steps and the county attorney described the quick-take eminent-domain path: the county must file a petition, present appraisals at an order-of-taking hearing and deposit the amount in the court registry to gain title. Counsel warned that exercising eminent domain often increases acquisition costs and requires substantial front-end investment. "When you elect to go to eminent domain, you're basically elected to spend 3 or 4 or 5 times what you had originally planned," the county attorney said, explaining statutory protections and typical litigation outcomes.

Commissioners debated whether to direct staff to begin eminent-domain work, to reallocate funds for acquisitions, or to require more door-to-door outreach to remaining property owners. One commissioner moved to set $500,000 aside and to proceed with eminent-domain authorization; the motion failed for lack of a second. The board then directed staff to make intensified owner outreach for two weeks and asked the county attorney to prepare resolutions for a possible eminent-domain vote at the next meeting if outreach fails. Residents from Mayo Road described safety hazards and urged the board to complete paving to reduce dust and improve safety.