Brigham City approves selling 13.53 acres to the school district for about $1.53 million

The Brigham City Council on Oct. 1, 2026 approved selling about 13.53 acres of city-owned land to Box Elder School District, according to the meeting's minutes. City Administrator Derek Oyler said the land is in the previously approved Brigham City School Subdivision near the city's sports complex and is intended for a future elementary school. ^[1]

Oyler said the city and district had worked on the transaction for more than a year and that the district had already approved the purchase. He said about 2,700 residential units are in various stages of development in the area. ^[1]

The district's own record is its March 11, 2026 minutes. Business Administrator Neil Stevens presented an opportunity to buy about 13 acres of vacant land from Brigham City for a future school site, and Julie Taylor moved to approve the purchase agreement at $113,000 an acre, with district staff to negotiate fair compensation for additional infrastructure improvements. Wade Hyde seconded. The motion passed 6-1, with Karen Cronin opposed, saying the district should save its money while seeking facilities funding. A board member noted that land-sale revenue was coming in and the purchase would not affect the capital outlay fund. ^[4]

The minutes show approval dated April 8, 2026, with the signature lines blank, and the district's April 8 minutes list the March 11 minutes among items approved on the consent calendar. ^[4][5]

The vote

Councilmember Robin Troxell moved to approve and Councilmember Matthew Jensen seconded. Jensen, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Hipp and Troxell voted aye. Mayor D.J. Bott and Councilmembers Dave Jeffries and Ryan Smith were excused. ^[1]

In a notice posted Oct. 7, City Recorder Kristina Rasmussen certified that Resolution 26-14, approving the sale and authorizing the mayor to execute the purchase agreement and related closing documents, was adopted at the Oct. 1 meeting. ^[3]

The terms presented

The draft resolution and the real estate purchase agreement in the meeting packet list a purchase price of $1,528,890. The minutes record the price as $1,528,889. ^[2][1]

The Ledger's arithmetic: 13.53 acres at $113,000 an acre is $1,528,890, the figure in the city's packet rather than the $1,528,889 in the minutes. That is a calculation, not an appraisal or a correction of the city's record. The district's motion refers to about 13 acres and does not name a parcel number or surveyed acreage, so it cannot confirm that the boundaries match the city's final parcel. ^[4]

The agreement says the city will subdivide the property before closing and that closing will occur on or before Nov. 15, 2026, or as otherwise agreed in writing. It calls for a warranty deed. ^[2]

The signature blocks in the packet copy are blank. The Ledger has not obtained a signed agreement or closing records. ^[2]