Washington County, Va., and Abingdon, Va., have approved a the purchase of land for a joint recreati

ABINGDON, Va. – The Washington County Board of Supervisors finalized a $2.37 million land purchase on Tuesday for a joint town-county recreation complex at Exit 22.

On Nov. 5, the Abingdon Town Council approved the agreement.

The tract of land, to be purchased from Clifton-Stewart Rentals, is approximately 59 acres and costs $40,000 per acre. For tax reasons, the closing will be delayed until November of next year.

The Board of Supervisors voted 5-1, with one member abstaining, during its regular meeting Tuesday night.

"I’m not against it," said Supervisor Tony Rector, who voted against the deal. "I’m just against the price of the land."

He said land for a recreation complex should not cost more than industrial park land – which the county has purchased for $5,000 an acre.

Supervisor Phil McCall abstained from voting because of a conflict of interest.

The board voted likewise for a second resolution to set aside money for the county’s share of a deposit on the land and to create a new budgetary department for the purchase.

In other business, the board decided to pay a $2,400 claim by a county resident for sheep and goats killed by dogs.

James Hutton said the animals were killed on several occasions before animal control officers were able to trap the dog believed to be primarily responsible.

According to a Washington County code, when the owner of a dog that kills livestock can’t be found, the county will reimburse the farmer for his losses.

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