Discussed AG Op. No.11-0114 with caller. The opinion describes a public bid/appraisal process for selling immovable property. The Sheriff as head of the law enforcement district could (but is not required to) follow R.S. 33:4712 for the sale of immovable property by a municipality. As long as it was a public process, and sold for not less than the appraisal (unless documented that the final price reflected a fair market value. This has been interpreted by later AG opinions to mean a reappraisal after the bid) the sale would be proper.
A second option would be to lease the building. AG Op. No. 02-0073 opines that a Sheriff can properly negotiate a lease with a private party for the lease of Law Enforcement District property that is not otherwise needed for law enforcement purposes, as long as the Law Enforcement District will receive rental payments commensurate with the value of the property and as long as the lease will be on terms that are beneficial to the Law Enforcement District.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 05/06/2025 01:09:55 AM
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