The Sulphur City Council on Dec. 8 authorized the mayor to proceed with a buy-sell agreement to acquire a parcel on Highway 90 West for a proposed police training center and shooting range. The agreement lists a price of $99,100 per acre; staff and council members said the parcel is approximately 17 acres and that a survey will confirm the final acreage and total purchase price.

Council members raised procedural cautions about approving the purchase without precise acreage; staff noted a 90-day due-diligence period written into the agreement, during which the city can terminate the contract. A council member also noted $1,248,000 has been earmarked specifically for the training-center project.

Police Chief Hall described current training needs and frequency, saying officers "train throughout the year, week in, week out" and that shooting practice occurs regularly during in-service periods. He added the city's leased range is deteriorating and floods, and that the proposed site was chosen because it is "somewhat secluded" and will include a berm and natural barriers as safety and sound mitigation.

Council voted to move forward with the agreement and survey. Staff was directed to complete the survey and report back with final acreage and the total purchase price determined by that survey.

Next steps: the city will complete the survey, finish due diligence within the 90-day window and bring final acreage and cost back to council for final approval.