The Human Resources Finance Property Committee convened to address the pressing issue of delinquent property taxes, revealing a significant backlog of tax-delinquent properties. The committee has identified a counterbook that details the number of tax deeds and the corresponding amounts owed, highlighting the need for a strategic approach to reduce these delinquencies.

The county's current process involves purchasing tax rolls from local governments, which allows them to manage unpaid taxes. However, after three years of non-payment, properties can be foreclosed under state statutes. The committee noted that past efforts to streamline this process through a new Non-Residential Economic Development (NREM) approach have yielded some success, with 32 out of 50 properties settled recently.

Despite these efforts, the county has faced challenges, including the write-off of $98,000 in back taxes and special assessments from 2010 to 2012. The committee emphasized the urgency of addressing these delinquencies, as properties become uncollectible after ten years.

Recent legal changes, including a Supreme Court decision in Minnesota, now require counties to return any profits from the sale of foreclosed properties to former owners, complicating the selling process. The committee is working to update local ordinances to comply with these new regulations.

In parallel, the Extension Economic Development Committee is exploring housing redevelopment opportunities, particularly for surplus properties. The committee aims to align these efforts with the county's goal of increasing workforce housing. Upcoming property vacancies, including those from a credit union and another location, present potential for redevelopment.

To effectively tackle these challenges, the committee acknowledged the need for additional staffing support. A proposal for temporary assistance will be communicated to the county's leadership, emphasizing the necessity of resources to manage the backlog of tax delinquencies and housing development initiatives.