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Hudson memo to BCC <br />April 12, 2019 <br />Page 12 <br />The County's initial appraisal was performed by Armfield & Wagner and assigned a <br />value of $95,500 for the 3.13 acres of right-of-way property needed and $110,300 for <br />the entire 4.53 acres ($24,349/acre). Since the Hudsons have decided to sell the entire <br />parcel, they no longer have a need for the various equipment used to operate the grove. <br />This equipment consists of: <br />❖ A Ford Tractor <br />❖ Bush hog <br />❖ Fertilizer spreader <br />❖ Rhino lawn mower <br />❖ Golf car <br />❖ 150 gallon tank and trailer <br />❖ A plow <br />❖ Metal shed <br />Mr. Hudson placed a value of $21,120 for this equipment. He further placed a value on <br />the citrus trees and irrigation system at $176,000. <br />After further discussion, the parties reached an agreement where the County would <br />purchase the entire 4.54 acres of the Hudson property together with all of the above <br />listed equipment for $230,000. The purchase price was arrived at using the <br />$35,250/acre price paid to Central Groves for the Miami Block at 69th Street and 66th <br />Avenue ($35,250 x 4.54 acres = $160,035), the $21,120 for the equipment and the <br />remainder for the trees and irrigation system. Depending on the condition of the <br />equipment, it can be utilized by either the Parks Department, Public Works or sold as <br />surplus. <br />By comparison, in February 2017, the County purchased the 18.72 acre Greene <br />property located at the northeast corner of 66th Avenue and 53rd Street for a future <br />stormwater park for $558,900 ($29,855 per acre) which was an arm's length transaction <br />without the threat of eminent domain. The County previously purchased the Miami <br />Block at the southwest corner of 66th Avenue and 69th Street for $35,250/acre for the <br />entire 18.59 parcel ($655,298.00) which was under the threat of eminent domain. <br />The Hudsons sought appraisal, engineering and land planning fees in the amount of <br />$14,447.00 and attorney's fees pursuant to the eminent domain statute of 33% of the <br />benefit gained for the client ($230,000 - 110,300 = $119,700 x 0.33 = $39,501). The <br />parties reached a compromised amount of $51,000 for all expert costs and attorney's <br />fees, making the total cost to purchase $281,000. <br />By purchasing the property in advance of filing a lawsuit, staff is attempting to save on <br />expert witness fees that would have been incurred by both the County and the <br />