By EMIL WHITIS
Daily Press Staff Writer
A resolution which defines the procedure for the sale of city-owned property valued under $25,000 passed unanimously at Tuesday’s meeting of the Artesia City Council.
In previous discussions, the council said the absence of such a procedure has made it difficult in the past for the city to sell and therefore return city-owned properties to the tax base.
“This is just a procedure to let us begin selling some of these properties — it’s pretty simple,” said Director of Community Development Tina Torres.
The resolution states there are three ways the city can sell a property valued at less than $25,000: through a sealed bid, auction or negotiated sale. Torres said the sealed bid will be the city’s preferred method of sale.
Under the new resolution, Torres will be responsible for submitting bi-annual reports on all city-owned properties. The planning committee will review the report and make recommendations to the city council with regard to which properties are “surplus” and can be marketed to the public. If the city council approves the sale of a property, an advertisement for sealed bids will be opened to the public. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
