Grant County to consider budget amendment for possible property purchases

EPHRATA — The Grant County commissioners will have a public hearing 1:20 p.m. June 21 to consider changes to the 2021-26 capital facilities plan and an extension to the 2021 county budget that would allow county officials to purchase two pieces of property, if the property becomes available.

The amendments would allow county officials to spend up to $1.795 million to buy a piece of property adjacent to the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake and a building at 252 Division Ave. in Ephrata.

Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said county officials don’t have a deal to buy either piece of property, and don’t know if they will buy either one. But they want the ability to buy the property if the opportunity comes up, he said.

The land next to the fairgrounds is about 60 acres at the intersection of Paxson Drive and Valley Road. County officials sold it to the Moses Lake School District in 2017 as a possible site for a new high school, but the district’s plans changed, and the land remains undeveloped.

County officials have discussed the possible sale of the property with the school district, Gaines said, but so far they have just been tentative discussions. Gaines said county officials are interested in the property, if the two sides can reach an agreement. He estimated the land is valued at about $1.2 million.

The building at 252 Division Ave. in Ephrata is the former location of Washington Mutual, and is unoccupied.

“The county doesn’t even know if they’re going to purchase that building or not,” Gaines said.

The property has been appraised at about $293,000, he said.

But the capital facilities plan amendment and the budget extension are required before county officials can even consider buying either piece of property, he said.

“At least our paperwork is in order,” he said.

Those interested in attending the meeting can show up at the commissioners hearing room at the Grant County Courthouse, 35 C St. NW #2 in Ephrata. Join the meeting by calling 1-408-418-9388, using access code 187 504 3677.

Those with questions can call the commissioners office at 509-754-2011 ahead of the hearing.