County administrator: BIA building will stay open; multi‑county class action filed over tax‑deed sales; county fund balance rises above $2 million

Ashland County Administrator Dan reported two major developments: the General Services Administration has rescinded a planned lease termination and the BIA building in the region will remain open, and a class‑action lawsuit has been filed against Wisconsin counties and the state regarding tax‑deed sales.

The nut graf: The administrator said the BIA building will stay open and remain staffed, a relief to county officials and employees who rely on those federal facilities; separately, the county faces a new statewide class action that could raise complex legal and financial questions over past tax‑deed sales.

Dan told the board the lease termination for the BIA building had been rescinded and the building will remain staffed, which the administrator described as “a relief” given potential job and economic impacts for federal employees in the region.

On the tax‑deed litigation, the administrator said a class‑action complaint was filed by a Milwaukee law firm on behalf of several taxpayers, initially in state court and later moved to federal court. The suit seeks recovery tied to tax‑deed transactions dating back decades, he said; the county has retained the Atollis law firm (Andy Phillips and team) to coordinate a common defense for 72 counties. The county’s insurance and the state Department of Justice will also participate in the defense, Dan said.

Dan also updated the board on county finances: the county’s fund balance now exceeds $2,000,000, representing roughly 25% of annual spending and a healthier reserve position than in prior years, he said.

Ending: County officials said they will monitor the federal litigation closely and coordinate through retained counsel; the county also emphasized its current fund balance position as a financial cushion amid potential future liabilities.