By By Anna M. Lee
The Escambia County Commission voted on Thursday, July 22, to make an offer to purchase the Caffey/Presto building in downtown Brewton. Acquiring the building would help alleviate the crunch for county office space.
"Office space in the courthouse is always at a premium," said county administrator Tony Sanks. "The courthouse has served us very well for 44 years, but the courthouse is not growing."
"This is a logical place to acquire if we were able to do it," said commission chairman Larry White. Located very close to the courthouse, the 7,500-square-foot building has three tenants whose rent would partially offset the cost of the building.
"There's no doubt we're in a space crunch," said commissioner Todd Williamson, "A good deal is only a good deal if we can afford it, and after some research, I think we can afford it."
Sanks reported that the asking price for the building is $400,000 with an offer from the owner to include the furnishings for an additional $25,000.
The commission voted to negotiate an option to make an offer on the building, contingent upon an appraisal, inspection and approval of title and legal documents.
Also at Thursday's meeting, the commission took the following action:
oVoted to accept an agreement with Southern Energy Solutions to finance heating, cooling and lighting improvements at the courthouse, satellite courthouse, annex, detention center and ag science building. The improvements will be financed at 4.52 percent over 10 years.
oAccepted a bid from Thompson Tractor to purchase six road graders from the county for $660,000. The county purchased new graders earlier this year.
oAccepted an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to resurface county road 18 from Pineview Road to Shadow Hill Road.