Board approves deed transfer of county parcel for affordable house; board abates outstanding taxes on the property

The board approved a deed transferring a small county parcel to a housing developer (referred to in the transcript as “712”) so the site can be used to build a two‑bedroom house in partnership with NeighborWorks and Habitat for Humanity. County counsel presented the deed and asked the board to include abatement of outstanding property taxes as part of the action.

The attorney explained the county’s charter authority to abate property taxes on the parcel and cited a provision referenced in the record as "4 4 5.1." The attorney and other speakers discussed that, for the project to be financially viable, outstanding taxes and special assessments needed to be abated. Two different figures were cited in the discussion; one speaker said "$59,767" and another clarified or corrected the total as "$69,767" for all taxing entities and special assessments. The transcript also included an estimate for the new house’s sale price of about $162,000, a description that the house will be a two‑bedroom on a corner lot, and that a slab driveway will be included with the option to add a garage later.

A motion to approve the deed and include tax abatement was made on the record and the board voted by voice; the motion passed. The attorney said the county can abate the specials the treasurer collects under the cited charter provision. Board members and community representatives expressed support for building on the lot and noted a planned groundbreaking "this fall" and an expectation of a Wednesday groundbreaking.

Ending: The deed transfer and tax abatement were approved; staff said they will provide the public a future date for the groundbreaking. No litigation or competing claim was noted on the record.