Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxes And Revenue topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves assignment of tax sale certificates; members and public press for more transparency
Summary
Council approved resolutions assigning tax sale certificates to private assignees during a lengthy discussion in which members of the public and some councilors raised concerns about a small number of LLCs acquiring many certificates and sought more public notice and local access to the opportunities.
Trenton City Council approved a set of resolutions authorizing assignment of tax sale certificates at its Sept. 4 meeting after an extended discussion about the process and transparency. Multiple council members and residents said repeated appearances by the same LLCs as assignees raised equity concerns and asked staff whether the city could do more to notify local residents about tax-sale opportunities.
VA Richardson (identified in the meeting as the tax collector) explained the administrative process used by the tax collector’s office: when taxes are delinquent the municipality may, under state statute, sell tax certificates to interested purchasers; investors pay the outstanding amount and then seek redemption from property owners. Richardson said the city advertises the list of available certificates and that any eligible purchaser who has the funds can request assignments. "Anybody that is interested in purchasing assignment of tax certificates just need to send an email or contact the tax collector and get the process started," Richardson told the council.
Council members and residents pushed back that in practice the same small group of buyers — several LLCs named in the docket — appear repeatedly and sometimes purchase large numbers of certificates. Councilwoman Williams and others asked whether the city bundles certificates or otherwise favors large buyers; the tax collector said the city does not package certificates and that purchasers select the parcels they buy. "No. They when you put the publication individuals. Said, I want to purchase this...So I guess that's just how much money you have in your pocket," Richardson said, explaining the competitive process.
Some council members urged the administration to take extra steps to inform residents and to consider whether any local-priority mechanism or additional public notice should be adopted. Staff said the legal framework is governed by state statute and that the city follows the statute as written; the tax collector also confirmed property owners receive notice prior to sale.
The council approved the related resolutions as part of the consent agenda after extended discussion. Council members asked for a follow-up review to see whether improved notice or an outreach program could increase participation by Trentonians.
