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Osage County resident urges payment-plan options after discovering years of unpaid property taxes
Summary
A county resident told commissioners he unexpectedly inherited a property with several years of unpaid taxes and asked whether the county offers payment plans or other relief; commissioners directed him to the incoming treasurer and said the board cannot unilaterally stop a tax sale without treasurer action.
A resident identifying himself as Gordon spoke during public comment on Sept. 23 to ask how to stop a potential tax sale after discovering his inherited property was several years behind on property taxes.
Gordon said he owns property at 12342 South Topeka Avenue and that when he learned of the arrears he found 2022, 2023 and 2024 tax years unpaid. He told the commission the county's policy requires property owners to pay current-year taxes before being allowed to pay back years, a rule that could push a parcel toward a tax sale if not addressed. "What can I do to solve this?" Gordon asked.
Commissioners said they do not directly control tax-sale filings and advised Gordon to wait until the incoming county treasurer assumes office; several members noted no tax sale was scheduled in the next month and suggested the treasurer and the county's contracted law firm could look at whether a payment plan or a resolution to protect successive owners might be appropriate. One commissioner explained a policy exists to avoid letting owners remain indefinitely behind by paying only current-year taxes while leaving multiple prior years unpaid.
Commissioners stressed administrative steps are required before a property is put on a tax-sale list: the treasurer's office typically sends notices and works with a contracted law firm and title company to verify ownership and address title or probate complications. In Gordon's case, he said, there may be confusion tied to previous probate activity and a bank loan that covered part of the ownership period.
The board did not take action but urged Gordon to meet with the new treasurer after she takes office so staff can assess whether a payment plan or other administrative steps could prevent a sale.
The commission also noted that if policies are changed, the treasurer should treat similarly situated owners consistently and that the county may be able to adopt a policy to allow payment plans for back taxes in limited cases.
Any action on a specific property or a countywide policy change will be handled by the treasurer's office and, if needed, by the county's contracted law firm and the county commission for a formal resolution.
