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County sets March review for tax-forfeited contract cancellations, grants 90-day extensions to requesters
Summary
After public comment, the board divided a mass list of pending purchase/repurchase contract cancellations and approved 90-day extensions for those who appeared seeking more time; remaining contracts will be processed at the March 11 meeting.
St. Louis County commissioners moved Feb. 25 to advance a consolidated listing of purchase/repurchase contracts on tax-forfeited land toward cancellation while giving additional time to property holders who asked for it.
Jason Meyer, director of the county Land and Minerals Department, told the board the department compiles an annual list of purchase and repurchase contracts that are in default under Minnesota Statute 282.01, subdivision 5, and that contract holders have been given multiple notices of the need to cure their default. Meyer said the listing changes frequently as payments are made and that the board would receive an updated list before the March 11 meeting.
A member of the public, Linda Pojak of Ely, said she is the personal representative for family property in Cook and has paid substantial portions of several contracts but faced a final installment and unpaid taxes on one parcel; she asked for help and time to preserve the family property. County staff reminded the board that, under statute, a contract holder normally has 60 days to cure after a cancellation action; commissioners discussed and voted to grant 90-day extensions for those who appeared and requested more time.
The board divided the question so the staff could bring two separate resolutions to the March 11 meeting: one covering contract holders who did not appear or request additional time, and a second covering cases where holders requested extra time. Both parts of the divided question carried on voice votes; commissioners instructed staff to provide an updated list and to work with parties who contact the department before March 11.
What happens next: the department will circulate an updated list to the board before the March 11 meeting. If the board proceeds with cancellation on March 11, affected contract holders will receive the statutory cure period; in cases where commissioners approved extensions at the Feb. 25 meeting the board authorized an approximately 90-day accommodation for residents who appeared and sought more time.
