Washington County delegation delays vote on changing tax-sale notice and post-sale owner notifications

The Washington County Legislative Delegation reviewed a proposed change to how the county notifies the public about tax-sale auctions and postponed action until next week. The proposal would require publication twice in a local newspaper, a posting on the county website four weeks before a sale (with the website referenced in the newspaper article), and two separate notices to property owners after a sale instead of the current single notice.

The item was introduced under new business and discussed after approval of minutes. A representative of the Board of County Commissioners told the delegation the commissioners oppose changes to the county’s tax-sale advertising process because they “value property rights,” while thanking the delegation for considering the language. Treasurer Breeding identified herself as the source of the comment from the commissioners in the discussion.

The delegation did not vote on the item. The chair said, “Seeing no action, we will bring it back for consideration next week.” No motion to adopt the proposed changes was made at the meeting.

Why it matters: The proposal would change public notice timing and how former owners are informed after an auction, procedural shifts that affect property owners at risk of losing titles. The commissioners’ opposition and the delegation’s decision to defer mean the measures will receive further review before any statutory recommendation is sent to the legislature.

Next steps: The delegation will take up the item again at its next meeting; no formal vote or ordinance change occurred at this session.