Findlay Auditor Sounds Alarm Ahead of Property Transfer
BY JEFF SKINNER
FINDLAY - As the city council of Findlay mulls over a potential vote to take on the ownership of several parcels of property currently owned by the county, city auditor Jim Staschiak took to Good Mornings Radio program to warn of potential liabilities with the move.
According to Staschiak, the properties council is looking to potentially take ownership of for the city lack significant environmental studies needed to outline what specific cost liabilities may be in place. This would put the city in very shaky territory with the Ohio EPA should any move to develop the land be made. Additionally, any attempt to sell the land presents additional issues of liability in terms of if the land were to be sold and issues discovered later. At this time, the properties are owned by the county and there is no specific plan for use of the properties, though that in itself is giving Staschiak pause.
“I have to think about Liability, it's a big part of my role,” Staschiak said. “The city does not have any liability protection when it comes to environmental issues; in this particular case, these properties do not have a defined use.”
According to Staschiak , while the city is not at this time defining a use for the properties, Mayor Christina Muryn has floated several ideas, such as flipping the properties to private sellers or tying them to the $40 million park development project. Either, according to Staschiak , presents issues for the city.
“The question is since we know at least one of the two properties is a junkyard and the second adjourning parcel hasn't had any testing on it, we get a log of experience,” Staschiak said. “Would you advise a client to take over some of these liabilities without knowing costs and fully knowing what the issues are?”
The type of cleanup needed is contingent on the use of the properties. The Ohio EPA currently has informed the city that provided they do not define a usage for the properties and begin any form of construction, no dollars need expended. However it is unlikely a private seller would purchase the parcel without knowing the liability of cost for cleanup, which could only be defined by the city taking on that responsibility themselves to some extent. In addition, there is a question as to whether it makes any sense to take on the properties at this time. What's worse, Staschiak stated in the interview it is known the properties are contaminated, making any potential plans to utilize the land that much hairier.
“We are taking on potential liability once a use is determined,” Staschiak said. “It is possible the land could be auctioned but who would buy it at auction if they don’t know what costs will be for improving the grounds? Right now any potential liability on that property is spread out across the county tax base, if we take it into the city of Findlay we are narrowing that liability to a smaller tax base and is that a wise move with no defined use? We know the property is contaminated.”
Ultimately, Staschiak stated in the interview that the decision will rest of the heads of Findlay city council, however they are not known for going against Mayor Muryn when she has her mind made up on a project.
“I don’t have a vote, it’s not for me to determine but it's my job to ring a bell and say guys is this a wise move,” Staschiak said. “We don’t have deep pockets. We just need to be cautious, be open and have a clear full understanding and I hope the council does that before they make a decision to move forward. It's going to come up to a vote and council is not known for saying no.”
Findlay City Council is scheduled to vote on the matter at the Tuesday, July 1 Council meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The full Episode of Good Mornings can also be found below.
