Clarion County had the sale of the century on Tuesday morning.
The county commissioners, during their meeting, opened sealed bids for cars, buses, real estate and miscellaneous items that total, unofficially, well over $300,000.
“This is the biggest sale we have ever had,” Commissioner Ted Tharan said. “The used vehicles sold for more than we anticipated. There is a lack of used vehicles out there and that drove up the price.”
The second parcel, containing 19,567 square feet, located just to the west of the beer distributorship, was sold to Yasir Bhatti, the owner of University Korner convenience stores, for $35,000. The bids were submitted to the county’s solicitor for review.
The county purchased those two parcels for $150,000 and made some improvements before purchasing the former Sorce warehouse for the Emergency Managements Services and 911 dispatch center.
Tharan said the money from the sale of the real estate will be returned to the county’s general fund.
The county initially placed 17 vehicles up for sale. One of the Clarion Area Transit buses was pulled from the auction. Tharan said the van will be used by the county’s maintenance department.
Two Ford Crown Victorias received no bids. The remaining 14 vehicles drew bids totaling, unofficially, $61,080.
Tharan said the money raised by the vehicle sale would go back into the transportation fund.
Commissioner Wayne Brosius said the money could be used for radios and other specified items.
The miscellaneous items included used desks, filing cabinets, furniture, two signs from the old River Hill beer distributor, vintage benches, kitchen cabinets, a garage door and opener, jury chairs, and the witness stand from the large courtroom in the Clarion County Courthouse. Those items totaled unofficially about $2,270.40.
“I don’t know what we will do with the stuff that is left over,” Tharan said.
The county, he said, will need to move the items before the new owners take possession.
“We might move it to the Sorce building or have an auction. We’ll see,” Tharan said.
The bids will officially be awarded at the commissioner’s business meeting on Oct. 12.