This all smells like padding pockets to me. It does need to go out to bid. But the other big question is why is the Ada County accepting a price below appraised value? Especially, if it is going to be leased to a private business who will make money on the venture and with a cost to taxpayers who will get the honor to subsidized this private business and pay taxes too, lucky us!

Unfortunate that ethics is becoming defined as the minimum effort required by law.

Recall in Dynamis, an “Industrial Park” in the form of “ARTIC” was established after the council was wooed by Mr. Mahaffey (unsolicited). Then, that and a number of zoning changes were made conveniently and surreptitiously to eventually “allow” what would have otherwise not been allowed per zoning in the form of a HUGE for-profit power plant (that initially was touted as an ancillary, minor add-on to the land fill). The damning evidence included a false open bid process in conjunction with ARTIC after the fact, even as contracts were already being drafted for Dynamis.

So, what would be prudent here? If Ada County, in connection with Eagle and the existing park lease, determine that some new venture or development would benefit the citizens at this specifically zoned parcel, shouldn’t there be a vote and approval, a design and input, and an open bid process to actually construct the agreed upon delivery? I have no doubt Mr. Neptune is good at what he does…if the legal process was/is followed, a winning bid might just be in his hands…but there also might not be so much give-away to him for a private venture. Unlike the backers of Dynamis, Mr. Neptune actually has a track record. But just “seeming like a good idea” does not override the process that is NOT taking place here.

Once again, the cart has come before the horse in the form of Mr. Neptune’s unsolicited bid. I think Mr. Case learned this, hence his holding out.

Also after the 20 year lease is complete, I would assume like most ground leases, any improvements upon the land become ownership of the City. Hopefully Mr. Neptune puts some good money into facilities, facilities the city would own in 20 years.

I also think if you can activate a property which is a buffer zone, and monetize and use it in some way, that is better than just bare land sitting idle. I do not know of any families who tell me about their experience having a picnic in the landfill buffer zone bare land, but it seems to me families might enjoy a snow park.

So long as the City and County are following the proper process and the law, we should let them, at the risk or reward of their political career, do their job.

If I were to take issue with anything it would be the county selling the property for below appraised value, and the concern the City of Eagle did not publicly bid this opportunity, but I would hope these agencies are following their own policies and law, or they invite their own problems, but let’s not demonize public private partnerships nor profits.

If what the agencies are doing is within policy and law, then let’s take issue with the policy or law, not the agencies and people.

EDITOR NOTE–As we understand it, the EXCLUSIVE lease was not put out for bids and the only “skin in the game” regarding use of the 35 acres is a tiny commission to Eagle for lift tickets–no land investment for the operator and no competition.

There is one problem with your comment. Do not get me wrong I agree with you but, no one will remember, no one really cares. If it is not effecting them right at the moment they could care less. So many things in this valley and the country are run in the same way, people bitch but no one will stand up and be the first to actually do something.