§ 2-251. Post-resolution of necessity.

For those real property acquisitions which occur subsequent to the adoption by the board of county commissioners of a resolution declaring the necessity for acquisition of real property or after written certification to the board of county commissioners by the director of any division of county government which exists pursuant to charter that the acquisition of real estate or an interest in real estate on a project is necessary and in the public interest, but prior to the institution of a condemnation suit, the real estate management department is hereby acknowledged to possess the unilateral authority to purchase real property in an amount not greater than the appraised value, as certified by a qualified appraiser on behalf of Orange County, in amounts up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00). All purchase acquisitions of greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00), regardless of whether they are equal to, greater than or less than appraised value, must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, Florida. The real estate management department is also recognized as having the unilateral authority to negotiate purchases of real property at greater than appraised value up to a total maximum purchase amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) in those instances where it deems such negotiations and purchase price to be necessary, practical and in the best economic interests of Orange County. Any negotiated purchases for amounts greater than appraised value and which are in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) but less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) shall be referred to the following group of departmental personnel:

(1)

Manager or assistant manager of real estate management department;

(2)

The division director, assistant division director, manager or assistant manager of user division/department; and

(3)

The assistant county attorney charged with the responsibility of obtaining an order of taking for the property if the matter proceeds to condemnation.

A unanimous consensus, based upon the criteria that the purchase is necessary, practical and in the best economic interests of Orange County, shall be required in order to approve of any purchases for greater than appraised value and in amounts greater than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) and up to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00).

(Ord. No. 92-29, § 1, 10-6-92)