City documents reveal potential Milton courthouse property appraisals

Property 1: This vacant commercial property parcel, located at 6875 Oak St., was appraised at $26,000 on Oct. 18, 2015. Although there has been discussion between the city and the property owner, city officials have deemed the property “financially unavailable.” Property2: The city is under contract to obtain the commercial lot on the northeast corner of Elmira and Pine Streets. While the appraised value is $16,000 (as of Oct. 18, 2015) the city has agreed to the asking price of $38,000. The property is listed under Northwest Florida Comprehensive Services for Children Inc. Property3: The city is under contract with owners of a commercial parcel on the northwest corner of Pine and Willing Streets. While the property was appraised at $48,000 on Oct. 18, 2015, owners Troy L. and Cheryl A. Key seek $100,000. Property4: City officials list this property as ‘financially unavailable,’ due to the terms or asking price for the property. Property5: Milton city officials are in negotiations with property owners L&N Railroad Co. for commercial property on the southeast corner of Elmira and Pine Streets. The asking price is the appraised amount of $97,000. Property6: The city last year purchased 5120 Elmira St., for $59,000. The property was appraised at $60,000 on Aug. 6, 2015. However, the demolition of a single family residential dwelling on the property is anticipated to cost $6,000. Property7: Theresa Messick’s property is valued at $49,960 as of Oct. 30, 2015. During this week’s Executive Committee Meeting, the council approved intent to purchase the property under a contract with an asking price of $125,000. Property8: The city purchased 6863 Pine St. last year at $57,500. The property was appraised at $58,000 on Aug. 6 2015.

MILTON — The City Council’s decision to purchase downtown property for more than its appraised value in preparation for a new courthouse has ignited plenty of debate on protest.

But several pieces of property — not just Theresa Messick’s, for which she’s asking $125,000  — are needed for the new courthouse, city officials said.

Milton’s public information office provided the Santa Rosa Press Gazette with seven appraisal documents of properties originally sought to facilitate a new judicial center. The city originally sought eight properties, but the city deemed two parcels financially unavailable.

Letters between a city representative and an attorney representing the owner of 6875 Oak St. show the city offered $26,390 to purchase the property, but a counter offer proposed a land swap for two city-owned parcels on Quinn Street. A letter from the owner’s attorney last July informed the city official the negotiation was concluded unless the city agreed to the land swap.

Another property the city expressed interest in was not considered for sale.

Last year, the city did purchase two land parcels, known as properties 6 and 8. Property 6, purchased for $59,000 from Jerry W. Mathes Estate and Kimberley A..M. Cheney, was appraised at $60,000. The city purchased Property 8 — appraised at $58,000 — for $57,500. Both properties have vacant single dwellings that likely will be demolished to accommodate courthouse plans.

A number of people on social media have criticized Theresa Messick, Councilman Jimmy Messick’s wife, for seeking $125,000 on property appraised just less than $50,000, but she is not the lone downtown property owner seeking more than the appraised value.

Property 2’s owner seeks $38,000 for land appraised at $16,600. Neighboring property owners seek $100,000 for land appraised at $48,800 in Oct. 18, 2015.

Bagdad resident Michael Johnson sent a letter arguing on Theresa Messick’s, behalf:

“In my humble opinion, this issue falls under the umbrella of free enterprise, not political opportunity,” he stated. “In 2006, the seller and buyer had to agree on a price, no matter what any appraiser said, and in 2016, the buyer and seller must agree likewise. 

“The offer and the asking price are both based on supply and demand. Two parties must come to terms, and that is all that matters.” 

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: City documents reveal potential Milton courthouse property appraisals