Bartholomew County is moving ahead with a plan to purchase the Premier Ag headquarters on South Marr Road, to use as county offices.

Bartholomew County Commissioners asked the County Council Tuesday night to let the commissioners purchase, what they feel, is much needed office space at a cost of about $700,000. The money would come from the county’s telecommunications fund, which the commissioners have been accumulating for about 10 years.

The council voted to approve the purchase 6-0. Jorge Morales, who initially said that he was opposed to the purchase, abstained from the vote.

Commissioners President Rick Flohr said that the county still must get appraisals done. County Attorney Grant Tucker said the purchase price must meet the average of two appraisals of the property.