Clay County Commission

Dan Haglund

Clay County engineer Justin Sorum sought and got Board of Commissioners approval toward the purchase of the Hawley Minnesota Department of Transportation facility on Tuesday in Moorhead.
The negotiated price of $276,000 was unanimously approved for purchase by the board.
MNDOT’s original sale price of $313,000 was countered by the Clay County’s offer of $236,000. MNDOT countered again at $276,000, which Sorum felt was a fair price for the facility and land.
“We believe that, given the appraised value, would have been reasonable to purchase it,” said Commissioner Kevin Campbell, Dist. 4. But after the counter offers and negotiations, the deal looked even sweeter for Clay County, according to Campbell.
He says there are important factors to consider with such a purchase, including some long-term savings.
“All of our equipment right now, when it comes to the needs for sand and salt for our winter conditions, all of our vehicles have to come back to Moorhead,” Campbell said. “To have that stuff filled, then go way back out to the eastern part of the county, there’s a lot that’s pretty expensive on an annual basis. This would allow us then to have those products available to the eastern part of the county. To me, this is a no-brainer.”
Campbell also said the Hawley facility, which also includes just over five acres of land, would allow for indoor storage of road equipment, which extends the lifespan of those vehicles.
“This certainly is going to be a savings on vehicle miles,” Campbell said. “That’s part of the goal of MNDOT, that’s part of the goal of us being carbon neutral. This is another good action to help improve on that.”
Sorum added that with the recent weather conditions, including an ice storm this week, that there’s definitely an indication that salt and sand are needed more handily.
“I don’t know if you could have scripted it any better,” said Commissioner Jenny Mongeau, Dist. 3. “To have a major ice storm right before you make a request like this, but this is part of the reason why you’ve been deliberate about staging pieces of equipment in all corners of the county to make sure we’re streamlining the process so that we can get roads safe and clear.”
Mongeau reiterated to logistical convenience of the Hawley location as a main reason she supports the purchase.