East Central Texas News

After purchasing 56 acres of land in Henderson County, Texas, from his neighbor at 30 percent below market value in 2019, Andy Jones argued that he deserved to be paid more than the market value after the land was condemned a year later. 

Randy Skiles, a state-certified general real estate appraiser, estimated the market value of the property, as of Aug. 15, 2019, the date of inspection, to be $201,000. Jones had purchased the property from his neighbor, Danny Cummings, for approximately $135,000 a few months earlier. 

“The property was reportedly in the name of the Cummings family since 1/19/1996 and was reportedly acquired by Arlis A. Jones on 2/15/2019, by way of foreclosure or loan forfeiture according to the ranch manager,” Skiles said in his appraisal summary. ““The property is comprised of a moderate tract of land which is mostly open pasture and a ‘patch’ of woods mostly on the southeastern portion.”

A year after Jones acquired the property, on Feb. 14, Lazy W conservation district, a water control and improvement district, used the power of eminent domain to pay Jones $198,349 for the land. 

“The amount of compensation and damages awarded by the special commissioners is grossly inadequate and fails to compensate defendant fully and adequately for the reasonable value of the property taken,” Clay Beard, Jones’ attorney, said in his objection. 

Andy Jones and Danny Cummings did not respond to a request for comment.