Action 2.
Flood Control District Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 11/15/2016
- Title:
- Acquisition of Bella Vista Ranch
- Submitted By:
- Britt Hanson, County Attorney
- Department:
- County Attorney
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
2
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Britt Hanson and Karen Riggs
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Chief Civil Deputy
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve Agreement conveying Bella Vista Ranch from The Nature Conservancy to Cochise County and authorize the Board Chair to execute all documents necessary to close the transaction.
Background:
As part of the County's efforts to recharge water into the aquifer of the the Sierra Vista sub-watershed, and to otherwise assist in water conservation efforts in that sub-watershed, the County has been negotiating with the The Nature Conservancy to acquire the 2,900+ acre Bella Vista Ranch. The Agreement to Convey Real Property that is the subject of this agenda item will accomplish that. The County will not pay any money for this acquisition.
As with the acquisition of the Mansker property, upon acquisition, the County will grant a Conservation Agreement to The Nature Conservancy. One difference is that whereas with Mansker the County retained the right to sell one parcel to a third party for use as a residence, the Conservation Easement for Bella Vista allows the County to sell up to five such parcels. Proceeds of any such sales are supposed to be used to further recharge efforts. The Conservation Easement also allows other potential uses, such as a County facility including a road yard or educational facility, not to exceed 15 acres.
The acquisition will come subject to a grazing lease and a lease of a 12 x 60 ft. trailer to Finchor, an Arizona partnership, with Mike Finch as the acting partner. Income from the grazing lease is $6,600/year, with a maximum of 360 AUMs. Income from the lease of the trailer is $250/month. The Flood Control District will manage these leases.
This acquisition also comes with a lease of 4,066 acres of State Land for cattle grazing.
Accompanying this agenda item is a separate agenda item to acquire Riverstone Ranch.
As with the acquisition of the Mansker property, upon acquisition, the County will grant a Conservation Agreement to The Nature Conservancy. One difference is that whereas with Mansker the County retained the right to sell one parcel to a third party for use as a residence, the Conservation Easement for Bella Vista allows the County to sell up to five such parcels. Proceeds of any such sales are supposed to be used to further recharge efforts. The Conservation Easement also allows other potential uses, such as a County facility including a road yard or educational facility, not to exceed 15 acres.
The acquisition will come subject to a grazing lease and a lease of a 12 x 60 ft. trailer to Finchor, an Arizona partnership, with Mike Finch as the acting partner. Income from the grazing lease is $6,600/year, with a maximum of 360 AUMs. Income from the lease of the trailer is $250/month. The Flood Control District will manage these leases.
This acquisition also comes with a lease of 4,066 acres of State Land for cattle grazing.
Accompanying this agenda item is a separate agenda item to acquire Riverstone Ranch.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Move towards closing the acquisition.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The County will not have Bella Vista Ranch available for a recharge project
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Have the Board Chair sign two originals. Britt Hanson will route them to the Nature Conservancy.