Treasurer reports investment gains; county to complete online sale of 22 remaining foreclosed lots Oct. 31

Treasurer Tilly White told the board during the Sept. 11 finance report that the county’s investment account overseen by a Lansing-based manager (referred to in committee as METR) began with a $55,000,000 placement and had a reported value of $58,365,799.83 as of Aug. 31.

White said the county is reviewing further options to increase returns and that the treasurer’s office will continue outreach to townships and city residents to explain tax procedures and make staff available locally in the coming months.

The committee also reviewed the county’s tax-forfeited-property sale process. Finance reported 107 lots were included in the most recent cycle; 85 had been sold and 22 vacant lots remained to be sold. The county plans a final online sale with bidding concluding Oct. 31. Committee members said those remaining parcels are vacant lots (not houses or industrial parcels). The finance committee also noted the county is handling excess-postage claims and will include those in the sale process.

The administration reported a forthcoming resolution to submit the countywide cost allocation plan for 2025 data at an annual cost of $17,000; that resolution was described as coming to the full board at the Sept. 18 meeting and was not voted on at the Sept. 11 meeting.

Why it matters: Investment performance and the disposition of tax-forfeited properties affect county finances, property markets, and local taxpayers. The online sale schedule gives potential buyers notice and the treasurer’s outreach may affect taxpayer interactions in affected townships.

"When we initially invested, we invested $55,000,000... as of Aug. 31, we have now made the value of the investment now is $58,365,799.83," Tilly White reported to the committee.