The Town of Vermilion has updated their land sale policy, which will set out guidelines for the town in pursuing the sale or responding to requests for the purchase of land.
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Historically, established listing prices for the sale of town-owned land used data generated from comparably sized municipalities, which is set to change.
“Administration is in the process of retaining the services of a qualified independent appraiser to conduct a fair and equitable review of all land the Town of Vermilion currently has for sale,” said Mary Lee prior, manager of economic development.
Pricing for the land would be brought forward to council on a one-off basis and purchasing agreements were negotiated accordingly.
Prices will now be brought to the economic development committee. Council, however, wants the items to be brought to council for final approval.
“Instead of bringing the lot prices to our economic development committee, they just came back to a council meeting to be approved,” said Deputy Mayor Joshua Rayment.
He sees the changes to the policy as a positive step forward for the town and the community.
“I really appreciate the alterations and the additions and the changes in this policy,” he said. “I like that we’re removing that $3,000 real estate incentive.
“I’d rather we negotiate and work with our local real estate agents on every potential sale and give them the opportunity to help us on a case-by-case basis.”
The policy also lays out under definitions for the economic development committee, which states only two councillors would be appointed.
“I’m just wondering if we should not have a number of appointed councillors because council might change that throughout the different council terms,” said Coun. Robert Snow. “Maybe just having as appointed by council.”
Council passed the motion to update the land sales policy with the following two amendments:
1. Change the council member appointment to as appointed by council during the annual organizational meeting
2. Administration will bring the prices to the economic development committee then the prices would be brought to council for formal approval.
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