The Sweet Home City Council agreed to accept an offer of $1.95 million for 2,604 acres of Colorado ranch land last week.
The council met in special session on July 13 to decide whether to accept the offer. The council agreed to the offer but authorized the trust that is managing the property to negotiate a higher price if possible.
City Attorney Robert Snyder said the city received the offer on July 12.
The property was appraised at $2.6 million in 2013 when the owner died.
The owner, Christl Malheit, left the property in a trust to benefit the Oregon Health Sciences University, the Oregon Shriners Hospital and the Sweet Home Public Library.
Each holds a one-third interest in the property, Snyder said.
“It’s obviously a great deal,” said Councilor Dave Trask. “No matter what it is, it’s a great deal.”
The council voted 6-0 to accept the offer with authorization to negotiate a higher price. Attending the meeting were councilors James Goble, Greg Mahler, Mayor Jim Gourley, Dave Trask, Jeff Goodwin and Diane Gerson. Ryan Underwood was absent.