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MENTONE – Mentone Town Council approved Wednesday an offer to purchase a piece of property from First Baptist Church of Mentone.
Ron Forks, First Baptist Church of Mentone, said the church has been informally talking with the town about the possible sale of some property to the town.
Forks talked with Councilman Tim Croy earlier in the week and they talked about a few things, such as how much the property might be worth. During the conversation, Croy asked if the church might be willing to donate the property to the town, but Wednesday, Forks said the church wasn’t in the financial position to do that.
“What we would ask is for the town to make an offer to us. I think that would make sense, and we’d be happy to entertain the offer you guys would give us,” Forks said.
Council President Jill Gross said the church owned the property behind the water department that goes north and south from the park all the way to Ind. 25. Gross asked how much of the property they were willing to sell.
Forks said the church was thinking between the Bell Memorial Library and to when the woods stop. He estimated the property they were talking about was about 1.1 acres.
Forks said when he talked with Croy, Croy mentioned the town would be happy to handle the survey fees. Gross said that was correct.
Forks said the only other question would be what sort of closing cost there would be. He said the church would be happy to just take an offer from the town. Forks said the number Croy mentioned when talking loosely to a realtor was $4,000 to $5,000 and that was the price range the church heard the property might be worth from people in the real estate business.
Forks said the church is in favor of what the town is doing with the disc golf at Mentzer Park.
Joe Reed said from a church standpoint, they’re really excited about utilizing the woods for a disc golf course or whatever it may be.
“That’s truly the heart of the intent is to get use out of it,” Reed said.
Gross said she thought it would be great for phase two of the park upgrade project.
Next steps in the process, including surveying, was discussed.
Reed suggested drawing up a purchase agreement.
The council approved offering $5,000 for the property with any additional costs. Town attorney Austin Rovenstine will fix up a purchase agreement. The council then approved for Gross to sign the purchase agreement.
In other business, the council:
• Set a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 for the 2027 budget review and for a public hearing for annexation.
Rovenstine said the town received a request to annex a property filed by Brian Romine. The property is owned by the Brian and Pamela Romine Trust.
The area proposed for annexation is generally east of Ind. 19, west of Tucker Myers & Hackendorn’s addition and north of the residential properties north of West Harrison Street. The annexation area is about 50.1 acres.
During the public hearing, Rovenstine said the council won’t be able to do anything besides introduce the ordinance for annexation. People can show up and express their views on the annexation.
For 14 days, the council won’t be able to do anything, Rovenstine said. But after 14 days, the council can adopt the annexation ordinance. However, there has to be an annexation plan in place.
• Was reminded Rotors over Mentone is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12.
• Heard Gaunt & Sons milled the parking lot at the park.
• Heard Utilities Josh Shepherd is planning to seek quotes of the walking trail and pickleball courts at the park after Gaunt & Sons does the specs for them.
