Approve Agreement for Exchange of Real Property Between the School Board of Hillsborough County and Hillsborough County at Muller Elementary School, Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center, Armwood High School and Palm River Elementary School

To benefit both the School Board of Hillsborough County and Hillsborough County, the following real property transactions are being proposed:

(A)  Hillsborough County would acquire additional property within the University Community area from the School Board adjacent to Muller Elementary School for a future public library facility.  The proposed library would be a partnership library serving both the community and nearby schools.

(B) The School Board would acquire the site where Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center is located on property owned by Hillsborough County.  Ownership would allow the District to invest capital dollars for improvements and renovations.  The School Board has been leasing the land and facilities from the County since January, 1991.

(C) The County would acquire, for the expansion of the County fire station adjacent to Armwood High School, a small portion of the school's parking lot at the southern boundary.

(D) The County will take ownership of the land being used as Rubin Padgett Park on the western portion of Palm River Elementary School.  This land has been used by Hillsborough County Parks for little league teams for over 20 years.

The value of the Dorothy Thomas campus ($765,000) owned by the County exceeds the aggregate value ($683,000) of the Muller Elementary, Armwood High School and Palm River Elementary portions of this transaction.  The County has not requested payment for the differential; the County would realize a cost savings by not having to acquire a larger site and relocate the fire station.  The proposed Agreement for Exchange of Real Property was approved July 17, 2013 by the Board of County Commissioners.

The only expenses incurred by the School Board are appraisal, legal services and document recording fees in the approximate amount of $8,400 funded by Local Millage.