The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted 4–0–1 to direct the county attorney to finalize an agreement for sale and purchase of the old chapel behind the convention center that (1) allows the organization acquiring the property to transfer title to Kron at no cost, if it chooses, and (2) preserves the county’s right of first refusal if the property is later sold to a third party, with reimbursement to the county for documented improvements made to the facility.

County staff said the county previously agreed in principle to transfer the structure to Kron, a local rehabilitation service operating on the adjacent old middle school property. Staff told the commission that Krohn/Kron’s review raised two requests: confirmation that an organization acquiring title on Kron’s behalf may later transfer title to Kron at no cost without triggering the county’s right of first refusal, and that should the county’s right of first refusal be triggered the county could repurchase the property for the original sale price plus documented costs of improvements (for example, added water, sewer, electricity or bathrooms).

Commissioners discussed concerns about the change from selling directly to Kron to selling to another entity on Kron’s behalf. Commissioner Spires said he would have preferred the arrangement to have been presented initially. Several commissioners asked for clear, specific contract language. Public safety and program integrity concerns were raised about the co‑location of services: commissioners asked for a segregation plan to limit unplanned interaction between residents served at the rehabilitative facility and students at the NextUp Autism Academy that is located on the same campus.

County staff and representatives who met with the commission said Kron’s operational model includes more intensive supervision for female clients than male clients: the executive director for the ministry that partners with Kron indicated staffing ratios of one counselor per 15 male clients and one staff per five female clients. The commission directed staff to work with the county attorney to incorporate the agreed terms and return the final agreement to the board for formal approval.

The motion directing the contract changes was made by the mover listed in the record and seconded; the board approved the direction 4–0–1. The final sale and purchase agreement will be subject to a subsequent formal approval vote once the county attorney finalizes the draft.