Bradley County committee sets minimum bids for tax‑sale parcels, authorizes public sealed‑bid process

Bradley County commissioners’ committee on property sales voted to set minimum bids for a group of county‑owned parcels acquired through delinquent tax sales and authorized staff to proceed with the statutorily required public sealed‑bid process.

County Attorney Miss Friberg told the committee the properties were acquired after owners failed to redeem delinquent tax sales and that a specific statutory process governs how the county must offer them for sale. “These are properties the county acquired through delinquent tax sales...there’s a statutory process that we have to go through to sell these properties,” she said. She added, “I don’t have any authority to change that or alter it.”

The committee set minimum bids in two categories. For the first group—five parcels that the county is offering for sale for the first time—the committee set the minimum at no less than the county’s tax outlay (the amount the county paid to acquire the deeds). Miss Friberg said first‑time offers must use at least the county’s acquisition amount as the minimum bid; previously advertised parcels may be offered at lower minimums at the committee’s discretion.

The committee also set or confirmed minimum bids on six parcels that had been advertised earlier but received no bids. Notable adjustments recorded in the meeting: Elrod Street had been advertised previously with a minimum of $3,340.12; the committee set a new minimum of $500. Ridgeway Drive’s previously advertised minimum was $7,500; after discussion and staff comments about possible city liens and interest from a potential buyer, the committee set a new minimum of $1,500. Two adjacent small lots on Fair Street, each previously advertised at $2,261.60 without attracting bids, were set at $1,000 each. Two contiguous lots on Michigan Avenue were left at the previously listed amount of $254.30.

Miss Friberg described additional steps staff must take before completing sales when municipal liens or other claims exist. She said the county prioritizes property tax liens first and will work with city officials to prorate other liens as necessary, noting the city has generally cooperated on these matters. “We won’t sell it until we have the agreement with the city where we set out. This is the amount that the bid is. This is where the money would go, and then once they agree to that, then we do,” she said.

Committee members pressed staff on parcel conditions and potential buyer expectations. Commissioners and staff discussed that some lots are undeveloped or wooded, flood‑prone or landlocked, and may present drainage or topography problems that limit their buildability. Miss Friberg and staff said they will ensure prospective purchasers are informed that buildability and permitting remain the buyer’s responsibility.

Committee procedure and follow‑up: after setting the minimums, the committee authorized staff to advertise the parcels, accept sealed bids, and open those bids publicly. Miss Friberg described the statutory follow‑up: if sealed bids produce a high bidder and another bidder later offers at least 10% more, the county will conduct a live auction between the competing bidders. Committee members also clarified that individual commissioners may not submit bids on these parcels.

The committee requested that staff provide an update to the full commission about any sale outcomes. Staff said they typically combine multiple parcels into a single advertisement to reduce cost and administrative burden and will report back with sale results.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to offer first five parcels (first‑time offers) at the minimums listed on the committee spreadsheet (minimums set at least equal to county tax outlay): motion moved and seconded; committee approved. Parcels identified in committee materials as Ridgeview Circle NW (parcel 019 AA013), Stanton Drive, Third Street, Ridgeview Drive NE (two parcels). Minimums: at or above county acquisition amounts (listed in committee packet).

- Elrod Street (previously advertised minimum $3,340.12): committee set minimum at $500; motion moved and seconded; approved.

- Ridgeway Drive (previously advertised $7,500): committee set new minimum at $1,500 after discussion of liens and interest; motion moved and seconded; approved.

- Fair Street (two small adjoining lots, each previously advertised $2,261.60): committee set each minimum at $1,000; motion moved and seconded; approved.

- Michigan Avenue (two adjacent lots, previously advertised at $254.30): committee left the minimums at $254.30; motion moved and seconded; approved.

Speakers and attributions in this report come from the meeting transcript of the committee discussion. Where a speaker was not identified by full name in the transcript, motions and votes are attributed to “a commissioner” or “the committee,” as reflected in the record.

Background/why it matters

Parcels acquired through delinquent tax sales are typically offered back to the public to return them to productive use and to restore them to the tax rolls. The committee emphasized that sales convert idle county holdings into taxable private property when feasible, but staff cautioned that some parcels may be unbuildable or encumbered by liens and that sale proceeds must be allocated according to lien priority.

What’s next

Staff will advertise the parcels at the minimums set by the committee, accept sealed bids, and report back to the commission on bid results and any required agreements with lienholders prior to completing sales.