Eaton County treasurer reports recent land‑bank sale, upcoming foreclosure auction and asks for courthouse security improvements

Eaton County Treasurer Darius Reyna updated commissioners Oct. 15 on recent land‑bank activity, a scheduled foreclosure auction and concerns about courthouse security for county staff.

Reyna said the county sold a buildable lot in the village of Sunfield from its land bank and that the second foreclosure auction of the year is scheduled the following day in the courthouse with limited properties, including one house in Bellevue and two lots. He reported the earlier auction sold eight properties, mostly buildable vacant lots, and noted some demand for commercial Main Street parcels in Sunfield.

On staff safety, Reyna recounted an incident in which an agitated taxpayer called the treasurer’s office and threatened to come to the office; staff handled the matter without escalation. Reyna asked the board to consider physical security improvements at the treasurer’s office, suggesting a permanent barrier between the security station and the open hallway to make it harder for a person to bypass the temporary retractable barrier.

Reyna said he has discussed the matter with courthouse security staff and understands a building security committee can examine improvements; he asked the committee to consider changes that would protect staff while still permitting public access to restrooms and other offices.

No formal security measures were adopted at the Oct. 15 meeting; the treasurer asked the board to refer the matter to the building security subcommittee.