Olivia P. Tucker
Times Reporter
Scott County Board of Commissioners had a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30, to approve the purchase of property from the city of Scottsburg using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 granted $1.9 trillion for the country’s recovery from the economic and health effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The city of Scottsburg is the owner of 2 East McClain Ave. The property is currently utilized as its city hall,” County Attorney Zack Stewart said. That is the property the county is purchasing.
Stewart added that the intended purpose of the property is for county government offices and to convert the current city hall into the county government center.
The commissioners are also allocating $600,000 for purchase of the parcel, said Stewart.
Scott County Board of Commissioners discussed a resolution that is separate from ARPA funding to be able to authorize the transfer of the property to the county from the city of Scottsburg.
Stewart said that the city and county had identical resolutions by each governing body.
“The county desires to buy the real estate in order to meet it’s urgent need for additional space for the operation of the county government and it’s respective offices,” said Stewart, “In order to further the growth, economic development, redevelopment of the city, the city desires to transfer the real estate to the county and to relocate city hall to the modern and accessible Mid America Science Park.”
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the $600,000 of ARPA to purchase the property and passed the resolution to accept the transfer of the property on both readings. The county council will have to approve the allotted federal funds from ARPA during their regular meeting on December 12.
City of Scottsburg also held a special meeting on Nov 30 to approve the transfer of property to the county with their vote being unanimous for approval.
“This is a win-win-win,” said City of Scottsburg Mayor Terry Amick. “The County needs the space City Hall will provide. City Hall will relocate to Mid-America Science Park, a state-of-the art facility that the city owns. And there will be zero cost to residents.”
The City of Scottsburg plans to use the funds to transform the MASPark space it will utilize to meet the needs of city employees and residents.
“Once we close, this will be a slow transition,” Amick said. “We will move in phases to ensure zero disruption of services.”
Once relocated, the new City Hall will continue to provide residents with the ability pay utilities via drive-thru.
The County will permit the city to continue to occupy City Hall at no cost until December 31, 2024, or 365 days from the closing, whichever is later.