The former Blue Springs Elementary School property was declared surplus property by the Bradley County Commission Monday.

Passing a resolution designating the land as surplus property is the first step for selling the land, according to county attorney Crystal Freiberg.

Commissionioner Ed Elkins said the possibility of limiting what the land could be used for as part of the bid proposal should be explored further.

Previously, Freiberg said the county could not limit who could participate in the bid process. Elkins said TVA had recently published a bid advertisement restricting for what the land could be used. Freiberg said her information was based on laws regulating county government, but she could look into the issue further.

Freiberg said whether the land use could be limited or not did not affect the decision of declaring the land surplus. More information on restrictions could be made if researched before the actual bid process, she said.

Commissioner Jeff Yarber reminded the governing body the group ultimately has the option of turning down any bid made.

The motion passed unanimously.

The idea of selling the land was first discussed when Blue Springs Baptist Church expressed interest in the property.

A resolution to state the county’s inability to financially partipate in joint-funded capital ventures with the city of Cleveland was removed from the agenda.

“I think the discussion over the potential of future projects with the city of Cleveland is a discussion that deserves everyone being here,” 4th District Commissioner J. Adam Lowe said.

Chairman Louie Alford, 2nd District Commissioner Connie Wilson, 3rd District commissioner Brian Smith and 7th Disrtict Commissioner Bill Winters were unable to attend the meeting.

Sixth District Commissioner Robert Rominger said the issue puts both governments in a negative light.

“I guess that anything we did now would not really have an effect on the ultimate outcome, but I think we still need to make the statement that the reality of the matter is we don’t have the funds to partcipate in (future joint capitial projects),” Elkins said.

The Commission also heard the Bradley County Schools budget presentation during Monday’s meeting.