MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. — The completed vacation of a portion of Magnolia Springs’ Palm Street has been postponed yet again.

During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Town Council tabled a vote to set a fee for vacating a 200-by-40-foot portion of the roadway, which it approved in May. That delay came after Dr. J.D. West, co-applicant of the vacation, opposed a $56,000 appraisal of the property the council reviewed during its Aug. 13 workshop.

At that time, West said he would submit his own appraisal. However, it was not available Tuesday.

While discussing the issue Tuesday, the council debated whether an offer of $15,000 each from West and co-applicant Tim Russell would suffice. The matter ended with the matter being placed on the agenda for the council’s Sept. 10 workshop, once the issue of whether Alabama State Code’s definition of fair-market value and assessed value of property is the same.

During the discussion, Mayor Ken Underwood said he was in favor of a higher fee for the property, as it allows access to Magnolia River and that a higher fee would be in the best interest of the citizens of Magnolia Springs.

“We shouldn’t accept less than fair-market value,” he said.

Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Holk said he agreed with Underwood that the council should act in the best interest of town residents.

“But I don’t agree with what that best interest is,” he said.

Holk said the issue had been previously “hashed out” and that the council agreed to vacate the property.

“This is not something the town is going to use,” he said. “Lord knows what we’re going to do with it.”

Councilman Jim May also pointed out that if the vacation didn’t come to completion, the town would then be responsible for paving and maintaining it.

Holk added that he felt coming to an agreement with the council and the applicants on the fee would be in the best interest of the town, as the funds could be used for municipal projects.