Council moves to declare 266'272 Jackson Street surplus amid new Home Equity Theft Act timelines

At the June 23 special meeting the Lawrence City Council advanced a recommendation to declare a city-owned parcel at 266'272 Jackson Street surplus and to prepare it for sale under the Home Equity Theft Act process, while city attorneys and councilors discussed options to retain the lot for municipal use.

Councilor Marmol introduced the item as a favorable committee recommendation. City Attorney Tim Hooten summarized the procedural mandates of the Home Equity Theft Act, which tightens timelines and equity accounting for tax-title properties. Hooten said municipalities must appraise property and list it for sale within statutory windows; if the property does not sell within 12 months the city may be required to auction it with a minimum acceptable bid of two-thirds of the appraised value. Any sale proceeds in excess of taxes and allowable costs would become…