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Cass County treasurer: $6.4 million in delinquent-tax payouts for 2024, 21 parcels foreclosed
Summary
Treasurer Anderson reported a record $6.4 million rolled delinquent for 2024, outlined the statutory foreclosure timeline under Michigan law, said 21 parcels were foreclosed in 2024, and noted options for local units or the county to purchase tax-reverted properties before the public sale on Aug. 27.
Treasurer Anderson told commissioners that Cass County’s delinquent-tax payout for 2024 totaled $6,400,000, the highest amount the county has ever rolled, and outlined the statutory foreclosure timeline and next steps for tax-reverted properties.
Under Michigan’s General Property Tax Act, Anderson explained, taxes become delinquent on March 1; in year two unpaid taxes may be forfeited to the county treasurer; in year three, if still unpaid, the property can be foreclosed on March 31 and become the property of the foreclosing government unit. Anderson said that after year four, former interest holders who submitted a notice may file a motion in circuit court to claim remaining proceeds.
For 2024, Anderson reported 21 parcels foreclosed; she said the county completed delinquent-tax payouts totaling $6.4 million for that cycle, up from $5.8 million in 2023. She attributed the increase in rolled delinquent amounts in part to inflation-driven increases in taxable values for 2023 and 2024. Anderson said Cass County does not borrow to cover delinquent tax obligations and that the treasurer’s office is using outreach measures — including personal visits and hardship payment plans — to reduce foreclosures. As of the meeting, the office had 38 payment plans and extensions in place.
Anderson told commissioners the county has right of first refusal on tax-reverted properties in a set priority order: the state of Michigan first, followed by city, village, township and then the county. She said the board can vote to purchase or refuse to purchase any of the listed tax-reverted properties at its next regular meeting on May 1, 2025. The deadline for the county to purchase is July 1, 2025. Anderson said the public sale of foreclosed properties will be held online Wednesday, Aug. 27, and the catalog will be available in mid‑July at www.tax-sale.info.
"This is the highest amount we've ever rolled delinquent in our county's history," Anderson said.
Ending: Anderson recommended the board review the provided list of tax-reverted properties and consider whether to refuse purchases at the next regular meeting; she said she did not recommend the county purchase any of the properties after her review.
