The Craven County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 2 authorized advertisement for upset bids on three county-owned surplus parcels acquired through tax foreclosure and granted final approval to sell another parcel after the upset-bid period expired.

County Attorney presented four tax-foreclosure properties located in the city of New Bern. The board authorized advertisement for upset bids on: 804 West Street (parcel ID 8007367), initial offer $3,825; 809 Green Street (parcel ID 8007058), initial offer $3,000; and 819 Miller Street (parcel ID 8007026), initial offer $3,000. The attorney said each parcel is jointly owned with the City of New Bern, which has provided initial approval to advertise for upset bids.

The board also granted final approval for sale of property at 1110 Mechanic Street (parcel ID 8014226) to a new bidder for $6,000 after a previously approved bidder did not close. The county attorney said past-due taxes and foreclosure costs for Mechanic Street total $2,492.10 and the city had already granted final approval.

Why it matters: Tax-foreclosure sales return property to private ownership and can restore parcels to the tax rolls; advertising for upset bids allows other bidders to come forward under state foreclosure-sale procedures.

Details: For each parcel the county attorney provided the offer amount, the original past-due taxes and foreclosure costs and the tax value recorded in county records; the board voted by roll call to authorize advertisement or approve final sale where applicable.