The Warren County Finance and Budget Committee approved authorizing payment of surplus funds in the amount of $14,221.78 to a claimant identified as Steven Dale, pending receipt of physical settlement documents and a general release.

Real Property Tax Services staff told the committee the payment stems from a Supreme Court decision that provides individuals with surplus funds after tax sale or similar proceedings. The staff member said the claimant has executed or is executing a settlement agreement and a general release; once the board approves and the county has the signed documents, the plan is to release the excess funds to the claimant.

Why it matters: Committee members asked whether this will lead to additional claims of the same type. Real Property Tax Services staff said the situation resulted from a sale that occurred before a law change and the claim was filed after the law changed, and stated the short answer to “will this open a Pandora’s box?” was “no” at this time.

Funding source: Staff said the funds had been treated as surplus monies and moved to the general fund years ago; because the sale predated the legal change, the county must allocate contingent funds to address the claim. The committee approved the request and carried the item.

The action will proceed after staff provides the physical settlement paperwork for the board’s files.