Sec. 5.5. (a) This section does not apply to sales, leases, or other dispositions of real property to other public agencies for public purposes.

     (b) Before offering for sale or lease to the public any of the real property acquired under this chapter, the advisory commission on industrial development shall have two (2) separate appraisals of the sale value, or rental value in case of a lease, made by independent appraisers. In making appraisals, the appraisers shall take into consideration the size, location, and physical condition of the parcels and all other factors having a bearing on the value of the parcels. The appraisals are solely for the information of the commission, the unit’s executive, and the unit’s legislative body and are not open for public inspection.

     (c) The commission shall then prepare an offering sheet showing the parcels to be offered and the offering prices, which may not be less than the average of the two (2) appraisals. Copies of the offering sheets shall be furnished to prospective buyers on request. Maps and plats showing the size and location of all parcels to be offered shall also be kept available for inspection at the office of the commission or the unit’s legislative body.

     (d) A notice shall be published in accordance with IC 5-3-1. The notice must state that at a designated time the commission will open and consider written offers for the purchase or lease of the real property being offered. In giving the notice it is not necessary to describe each parcel separately or to specify the exact terms of disposition, but the notice must:

(1) state the general location of the parcels;

(2) call attention generally to any limitations on the use to be made of the real property offered; and

(3) state that a bid submitted by a trust (as defined in IC 30-4-1-1(a)) must identify each:

(A) beneficiary of the trust; and

(B) settlor empowered to revoke or modify the trust.

     (e) At the time fixed in the notice the commission shall open and consider any offers received. All offers received shall be opened at public meetings of the commission and shall be kept open for public inspection.

     (f) The commission may make recommendations to the legislative body for awards to the highest and best bidders. In determining the best bids, the commission shall take into consideration the following factors:

(1) The size and character of the improvements proposed to be made by the bidder on the real property.

(2) The bidder’s plans and ability to improve the real property with reasonable promptness.

(3) Whether the real property when improved will be sold or rented.

(4) The bidder’s proposed sale or rental prices.

(5) The bidder’s compliance with subsection (d)(3).

(6) Any factors that will assure the commission that the sale or lease, if made, will further industrial development of the unit and best serve the interest of the community from the standpoint of both human and economic welfare.

     (g) The legislative body may contract with a bidder with regard to the factors listed in subsection (f). The contract may provide for the deposit of surety bonds, the making of good faith deposits, liquidated damages, the right of repurchase, or other rights and remedies if the bidder fails to comply with the contract. A conveyance under this chapter may not be made until the agreed consideration has been paid.

     (h) After the opening and consideration of the written offers filed in response to the notice, the legislative body may dispose of the remainder of the available real property either at public sale or by private negotiation. For a period of ninety (90) days after the opening of the written offers, a sale or lease may not be made at a price or rental less than that shown on the offering sheet. After that period, the commission may adjust the offering prices in the manner it considers necessary to further industrial development.

As added by P.L.214-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.336-1989(ss), SEC.50; P.L.262-1993, SEC.5.