Greene County authorizes expedited transfer agreement for Fairborn foreclosed residential properties

The Greene County Board of Commissioners authorized the county administrator May 29 to enter into an agreement with the City of Fairborn that expedites transfer of residential properties the city acquires through the foreclosure process.

County staff explained the agreement mirrors an existing expedited-transfer arrangement the county has with the City of Xenia and applies only to residential properties, not commercial parcels. The arrangement provides authority to the county administrator to waive delinquent tax procedures on behalf of county levies so the city can take expedited title for remediation or reuse.

Commissioners described the approach as an alternative to establishing a separate land bank. They noted two primary benefits a land bank would previously have provided—access to demolition funds and expedited foreclosure—and said recent changes in state practice have made creating a separate land bank less compelling for the moment. Commissioners also cautioned that the situation could change if the state again restricts demolition funding, in which case a land bank might be reconsidered.

Commissioner Mays moved to authorize the county administrator to enter the agreement and approve the delinquent tax request for Fairborn; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

County officials said the process is designed to speed property transfers for residential foreclosures to local entities that will address blight or redevelopment; the agreement does not change county policy for commercial foreclosures.