Subject:
Title
Approval, Re: Contract for Sale and Purchase from Lana K. Meyer for the Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) Merritt Island Zone G Septic to Sewer Conversion Project - District 2.
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Fiscal Impact:
$299,000.00 Natural Resources Management Department
Dept/Office:
Public Works Department / Land Acquisition Office / Natural Resources Management Department / Utility Services Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve and authorize the Chair to execute the attached Contract for Sale and Purchase.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The subject property is located in Section 30, Township 25 South, Range 37 East, west of State Road 3, east of Crooked Mile Road, and on the south side of South Oaks Drive in Merritt Island.
The Natural Resources Management Department, in conjunction with the Utility Services Department, is undertaking a project known as the SOIRL Septic to Sewer Conversion Project, to help improve the Indian River Lagoon water quality by reducing excess nitrogen loading into the lagoon. The Natural Resources Department has designated Merritt Island Zone G as a high priority septic-to-sewer conversion area, supported by $9,383,000 in FDEP grant funding and $12,623,941 in SOIRL funding, for a total of $22,006,941 in allocated project funding. The Utility Services Department has identified a vacuum sewer system as the selected technology for this zone, which requires a pump station with an approximate minimum area needed of 120’ x 120’. Since 2023, the Land Acquisition Office has reached out to multiple property owners within Merritt Island Zone G, including owners of both listed and unlisted vacant parcels, to identify a site for the required vacuum pump station. None of the property owners contacted have agreed to sell their land for this purpose.
The Meyer parcel is located within the Merritt Island Zone G septic-to-sewer project, included in the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan, as approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The Plan specifically identifies septic system removals and updates in high priority areas as a key component to reducing pollutant loadings into the Indian River Lagoon.
The vacant parcel at 1485 South Oaks Drive, located within Merritt Island Zone G, was listed for sale at $299,000 in February 2026. An appraisal conducted by Callaway and Price, Inc. on March 24, 2026, determined a fair market value of $130,000. The Department authorized the Land Acquisition office to extend an offer at the appraised value; the owner declined and countered with the full listing price of $299,000. The Department has agreed to the counteroffer.
If this parcel is not acquired, the remaining option would be to contact owners of developed properties, which would require the acquisition and demolition of the existing residence and improvements. Current residential listings within the North Merritt Island Zone G boundary are priced at or above $600,000.
The User Department approves this request.
This acquisition follows the policies and procedures as set forth in Administrative Order 37.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Upon execution by the Chair, the Public Works Department will contact the Clerk’s office to make arrangements to pick up the original executed Contract for Sale and Purchase.