Treasurer reports $5 million in 2024 tax payments, plans in-rem foreclosures for persistent delinquents

Connie, Marathon County treasurer, told the Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee that the treasurer’s office processed $5,000,000 in tax payments (including interest, penalties and tax-deed fees) and recovered about $1,300,000 in delinquent taxes for years 2012–2023 as part of in-rem and collection efforts.

She said the office prepared tax bills for 61 municipalities, issued phase-two courtesy notices and worked with municipalities on settlements; the treasurer’s office also submitted a PC-501 test settlement with the Department of Revenue. Connie reported that of the parcels targeted in the in-rem stages, many paid after notices: in phase 2 staff began with 31 properties (89 have paid since the in-rem process began, 26 in the last three months), and phase 3 started with 91 parcels (70 have paid since in-rem began) with five parcels remaining that may proceed to in-rem foreclosure in June if unpaid.

Connie said some accounts receivable and timing issues remain to finalize 2024 figures; she expects to provide corrected payoffs after pending invoices are applied. She described ongoing work with registered-deeds staff to resolve small “sliver” parcels where successful payoffs were followed by transfer-affidavit filings to clear title for purchasers with Marathon County addresses.

Board members asked about a specific property, identified in the meeting as the Weisenberger property in Marathon City. Connie and corp counsel said execution of a special-inspection warrant for the Department of Natural Resources requires a DNR-specified timeframe; the county’s warrant preparation is complete but cannot be executed without the DNR providing the narrow access window required by law. Corp counsel said the county cannot issue an open-ended warrant without a discrete timeframe and that staff continue to coordinate with Marathon City and the DNR.

Supervisor Marshall and others commended the treasurer’s outreach; Connie said many payments have been triggered by the colored notice paper and the March notices mailed in yellow. She also reported increased contact from banks and mortgage companies investigating delinquent accounts after notices were issued.

The treasurer flagged forthcoming work through March and April: final audits and reconciliations, lottery-credit processing on April 15, preparation of remaining phase-2 and phase-3 delinquent parcels for 90-day notices, and possible foreclosures in July–August if payoffs are not received. Committee members asked corp counsel to add a separate agenda item to address a class-action legal matter that named Marathon County; corp counsel and staff agreed to place that case on a future agenda for committee consideration.

What’s next: treasurer staff will continue the in-rem process, prepare specific foreclosure packets for parcels that remain unpaid, coordinate with the DNR and Marathon City on the Weisenberger property, and provide updated settlement and receivable numbers at the next committee meeting.