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Treasurer: 345 delinquent parcels; county debates policy on selling landlocked tax parcels
Summary
The treasurer told the Administration Committee that Adams County is reviewing 345 delinquent parcels (2021–2022), four parcels are slated to be returned to prior owners, and staff will research whether state law requires sale of landlocked parcels after changes to excess-proceeds rules.
Treasurer Kara reported to the Adams County Administration Committee that the county’s delinquent-property inventory has grown and raised legal and policy questions about how to handle landlocked parcels and auctions.
"We will always receive our payment in full," Treasurer Kara said, explaining that when the county sells foreclosed property the county recovers taxes and fees first, then Wisconsin Surplus collects its fee, and any remaining proceeds go back to the previous owner. Treasury staff told the committee that four parcels from last year will be returned to previous owners for a mix of reasons: one had payment in the office but not at court, one owner did not receive proper mailed notice because of a USPS error, and two parcels were never properly noticed and remain occupied.
Kara said the county is currently processing a larger backlog—345 parcels covering tax years 2021 and 2022—largely because last year’s delinquent-property review was not completed. "These are really the first years after COVID hit and people lost jobs and kinda got in trouble," she told the committee, and noted that many owners have since come in to pay their taxes. Kara also described an approach some counties use for landlocked parcels—selling only to adjacent property owners—because access issues can make standalone sale impractical.
Committee members pressed on how landlocked sales would interact with recent legal changes about excess proceeds. County counsel and county administrator said they will research whether the county is required by law to sell landlocked parcels or must refrain from foreclosure to avoid depriving owners of potential excess proceeds. County Administrator Cynthia said the group (Kara, Liana, Nancy and possibly Dusty) should meet to develop a recommendation and report back to the committee.
Treasury staff described operational steps: title work had been done before foreclosure (handled last year by attorney Malia Malone), the county passes title-work costs to the property owner when possible, and the title work was completed through Dane County Title. Kara said Wisconsin Surplus handled online listings and signage for properties; an adjacent owner received a postcard from Wisconsin Surplus. Committee members asked for a follow-up report after staff research and the planned interdepartmental meeting.
