Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxes Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County treasurer wins board approval to raise online tax-lien auction service fee from $10 to $12
Summary
The Board approved an amendment to the county's 2023 tax sale internet auction services agreement to raise the per-property pass-through fee from $10 to $12 to reflect rising costs and maintain an online platform the treasurer said has increased premium revenue for the county.
The county treasurer explained to commissioners on May 20 why staff recommended amending the county’s 2023 tax sale internet auction services agreement to raise the per-property pass-through fee for the vendor from $10 to $12.
Treasurer Jill described how the county moved to an online tax-lien auction in 2019 to reduce staff disruption and public attendance challenges. She said premiums collected at auction—bids that investors pay to secure the opportunity to pay delinquent taxes—have increased since the move online and have generated non-tax revenue for the county. “This has been such a great value for us. They're been a great partner, helping us expedite the tax sale,” Jill said.
Jill provided figures comparing recent years: 2016 premiums were $5,800 when the sale was run live; in 2019 premiums totaled about $19,857 after the move online. She said last year, with 63 properties, the county collected $17,304 in premiums; the year before, with 43 properties, the county collected $9,322. The treasurer said the fee is a pass-through paid by the investor and not by county taxpayers.
A motion to approve and authorize the chair’s signature on Amendment No. 1 to the 2023 internet auction services agreement passed. Commissioners said they appreciated the transition to online sales and the extra revenue the premium model produced.
