OKEECHOBEE – At their April 27 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners rejected a proposal from an attorney for the Methodist Church that asked the county to pay $12,000 a year to lease the church parking lot,

The proposal would also require the county pay for maintenance of the parking lot to include re-striping, repairs and lighting improvements. It also included annual increases of 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is higher.

“Look at it today. There’s not one car there,” said Commission Chair David Hazellief. He also noted part of the parking lot is used by the church for trailer parking.

He said they might be able to work something out with church officials, but rejected the lease proposal.

Commissioner Terry Burroughs said they should let their current agreement with the church expire.

“For the amount of money you just quoted, we could buy it,” he added.

In other business at the April 27 meeting, County Attorney Wade Vose said he has not been able to reach the owner of the mobile home park next to the Okee-Tantie Recreation Area. He has been trying to contact the mobile home park owner in regard to items belonging to park residents which are on the county’s side of the property line. This issue has to be resolved before Bass Pro’s resort arm, Cedar Lodge, can take over Okee-Tantie.

He asked the commissioners for permission to file a lawsuit if necessary. The commissioners agreed to give him the authority to do so, should it come to that.

Vose said the property has been surveyed.

Hazellief said the mobile homes apparently back up to the county’s property line. About 100 feet from the property line is a drainage ditch. Residents have apparently been parking boats and other items on the county’s property between the mobile home park and the ditch.