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Church's value a source of debate

While a Dade City church says the county should pay more than $2-million for its property, the property appraiser says its open market value may be much lower.

By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published July 9, 2005

DADE CITY - The stately red brick building sits in the heart of Dade City, a short walk from several schools and a stone's throw from the downtown shops and government buildings.

"The location couldn't be better," County Commissioner Ted Schrader said.

But the asking price for the First Baptist Church of Dade City could raise some eyebrows.

The County Commission will discuss a proposal Tuesday to buy the property at 37511 Church Ave. for $2.5-million, with an eye toward converting it into a county library and information technology office.

But property appraiser Mike Wells values the facility at only $845,129 for tax purposes (even though churches are tax-exempt). He cites a number of factors: the residential zoning of the 3.27-acre property, the age of the 50-year-old building and the location away from major roads.

"That doesn't mean it's not worth it," Wells said of the $2.5-million purchase price. "It might be worth it to the County Commission. But it's my view it's not worth that on the open market."

An appraiser hired by the church disagrees. A 2003 appraisal by Integra Realty Resources valued the church at $2.5-million, based on recent sale prices of similar churches. If the church was sold for use as a community center, Integra's report said, the value would drop to $2.2-million, in part because of the costs to convert the building.

When negotiating with the church, county officials took the $2.2-million figure, then added $300,000 because the last appraisal was a couple of years old, County Administrator John Gallagher said.

And even though it's in the contract, the sale price is not set in stone, County Attorney Robert Sumner said. If commissioners decide Tuesday to move forward with the sale, the county would hire its own appraisers. And if they valued the building at less than $2.5-million, Sumner said, the county would renegotiate the sale price.

With the church planning to build a new sanctuary west of town, Schrader suggested in May that the county look into buying the building. He said the 40,000-square-foot building would provide ample space to expand the now-cramped Hugh Embry Branch Library and house a larger information technology department.

If commissioners decide to pursue the sale, Schrader said, the county could sell the old library and information technology buildings to help offset the cost. The county would also have a couple of years to budget for the sale, as the church wouldn't change hands until August 2007.

"I'm comfortable with the negotiated price," Schrader said. "I think it's a good deal for the Baptist Church as well as the county."

Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is bhall@sptimes.com

[Last modified July 9, 2005, 01:02:12]