Commissioners and towns begin coordinated push on long-running delinquent tax rolls

Commissioners, the county treasurer’s office and town officials agreed to coordinate more assertive steps to address long-running delinquent property taxes after the treasurer provided an updated list of accounts that in some instances go back many years.

What prompted the discussion: Commissioners and a group of town clerks (Phillipsburg and Drummond were represented) reviewed a county-produced delinquent roll that included personal-property and real-property accounts three or more years in arrears. Several towns reported that posting the delinquent list publicly reduced the number of outstanding accounts and prompted payments; they recommended a coordinated public-notice strategy and a clear stepwise enforcement plan.

Proposed next steps and tools discussed: Participants discussed (1) sending certified delinquent notices and publishing a public delinquent list in the newspaper and on social media (town-level and county-level), (2) working with the treasurer to confirm which accounts already have county liens and which require additional statutory foreclosure steps, (3) assessing environmental or title risks that might make foreclosure and resale impractical for particular parcels, and (4) offering the public payment-plan options or escrow arrangements coordinated by the treasurer where appropriate.

Legal and administrative points: County counsel and the treasurer’s office will follow statutory procedures before any foreclosure action; commissioners were briefed that mortgagees and other senior lienholders may have priority over the county’s tax lien, which affects expected recovery. The treasurer said that foreclosing is an available remedy where liens are clear and title risk is acceptable, and acknowledged the need for a clear communications plan so residents understand consequences and options.

Outcome: The commissioners asked the treasurer to supply an updated list and recommended that the county and towns meet the following week to define a communications and enforcement schedule; the treasurer will report updated collections and any responses to the first public notices.