City close to buying land for park

An effort to develop an Electric City park moved one step closer Nov. 11 when the council matched the property owner’s asking price.

The council voted to offer the Banks Lake Bible Church $25,000 for a double lot near the old Baptist Church school, which measures 80 by 160.

Councilmembers Lonna Bussert and Brad Parrish explained to the council that the property had been appraised at $45,000 if used for a residence and $35,000 if used for other purposes.

The church group was asking $25,000, and even offered to carry a contract if the city wanted to purchase the property over time.

A person in the audience goaded the council to offer $20,000, but council members felt like $25,000 was a fair offering price.

The council heard more good news about the park’s potential when City Clerk Jackie Perman noted that the city had accumulated some $60,000 in an excise tax fund that could legally be used for a variety of uses, including park development.

Bussert had stated that she could foresee a community park with playground equipment that local residents and visitors to the area could use for picnics and recreation.

The council instructed Bussert and Parrish to finish the negotiations for the land.