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Adams County removes proposed lock-change mandate, approves tax-foreclosure ordinance and gives treasurer discretion to secure properties
Summary
The committee adopted a revised tax-foreclosure ordinance that removes the mandatory lock-change language, authorizes online auction sales, and gives the treasurer discretion to secure county-owned foreclosed properties; the board discussed insurance, squatters, and a single-family owner repurchase right required by a state law change.
Adams County supervisors on April 4 approved a tax-foreclosure ordinance amended to remove a mandatory lock‑change requirement and to give the treasurer discretion to secure foreclosed properties while the county holds title.
The action followed staff presentations about a recent statutory change (referred to in the meeting as Act 307) that gives a single-family owner-occupant a pre‑sale right to repurchase by paying county costs and unpaid taxes. County staff and supervisors debated whether to extend that repurchase right beyond owner-occupied single-family homes and whether to change locks, insure properties while the county holds title, or sell properties by online auction.
The ordinance matter centered on three practical questions: whether the county should allow former owners to repurchase categories of property beyond what the statute requires; whether the county should continue in-person property inspections and cleanups; and whether the county should change locks and insure properties while they are county-held.
County counsel said Act 307’s principal change affects single‑family owner‑occupied properties by preserving a former owner’s right to repurchase before sale. Staff advised that expanding that right to other property types would create a new administrative process and delay sales. The committee removed the ordinance language that would have required lock changes and adopted language allowing the treasurer to secure buildings when needed. The treasurer reported the county has insured foreclosed properties in the past and that there have been one or two insurance claims related to such properties; staff said the deductible is $5,000.
Supervisors described past problems with occupied properties during foreclosure, including one instance where an occupied house was gutted and the county filed an insurance claim. Several supervisors said most foreclosed properties they had inspected in past years were already heavily vandalized, with broken windows and open doors, and argued selling “as is” and limiting county expense is preferable. Others argued leaving locks unchanged can “muddy” the line between prior owner access and trespass and favored giving the treasurer discretion to secure a property when warranted.
Staff told supervisors the county intends to sell foreclosed property by online auction and use the assessor’s current tax (fair-market) value as a starting bid, with county expenses tracked and the price reduced periodically until sale. Staff said they plan to use WisconsinSurplus for online listings and to maintain posted lists and building‑floor postings for people without internet access.
On procedure, Supervisor Pease moved to adopt the ordinance with the redlined text deleted and to give the treasurer discretion to secure properties; Supervisor Edwards seconded. The motion carried on voice vote.
What happens next: the ordinance was approved by the committee and will apply as written; staff indicated sales will be “as is” unless the treasurer elects to secure a building. Staff also flagged that if the county changes locks or incurs insurance costs, those expenses could be added to the county’s lien and recovered at sale.
Votes at a glance • Motion to adopt revised tax-foreclosure ordinance (redline text removed) and to give the treasurer discretion to secure property — Moved by Supervisor Pease; seconded by Supervisor Edwards; outcome: approved (voice vote).
