BROOKHAVEN — The City of Brookhaven moved a step closer to moving out of the Lincoln County Courthouse. Lincoln County Board Attorney Greg Malta said the county will have to buy out the City’s ownership Monday. 

A 1980 interlocal agreement stipulates the County would have to reimburse the City 20 percent of the building’s value, the City’s ownership, if the city government moved out of the courthouse. It is the lesser of two payment options the County had. 

Malta gave an update to the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors Monday morning in executive session. He explained what was happening with the appraisal process following the meeting. 

“The interlocal agreement states the City and County each are to get an appraisal of the building and then get a third appraisal by an appraiser appointed by both the City and County,” Malta said. “We got our appraisal and the City got theirs. We are waiting to get the third appraisal. The numbers will then become public and the average of the three will be taken.” 

The Daily Leader reported in October that the city could potentially move to the old Kees Motor Company building at 130 East Cherokee Street or the Hartman-Harrigill Funeral Home across from the Chamber of Commerce at 101 Chickasaw Street. Brookhaven has made no official decision yet. 

We will provide updates on this story.