The Monongalia County Commission on Oct. 29 approved an agreement to buy parcels formerly known as the Salvation Army property for $815,000.

The commission will pay $200,000 at closing and the seller will receive the balance through payments spread over four years with no interest, commissioners said during the meeting. Commissioners also voted to authorize the commission president to sign documents necessary to complete the transaction as they are finalized.

County staff said the property sits adjacent to county facilities and includes a usable parking area that provides immediate benefit; longer-term uses were described as flexible and to be determined by the commission. The motion to approve the purchase was moved, seconded and approved during the Oct. 29 meeting.

The commission did not specify a detailed development plan at the meeting; commissioners described the acquisition as an opportunity to expand county footprint and to plan for future needs. The vote followed a short discussion of terms, after which the commission approved authorizing the president to execute related documents.

The commission recorded no recorded roll-call tally in the public transcript beyond the voice vote in open session.