Marion County approves two nonprofits for tax-lien sale, conditionally approves two others pending tax payments

Marion County Commissioners on Sept. 16 approved applications from two nonprofit housing organizations to participate in the 2025 Marion County nonprofit tax-lien sale and provided conditional approval to two others pending payment of outstanding property taxes.

The vote took place at the Marion County Commissioners meeting held at 2 p.m. in Room 260 of the City County Building. Joseph O'Connor, president of the County Commissioners, called the meeting to order and Barbara Lawrence, a county commissioner who also serves as Marion County treasurer, moved the motions that were seconded and approved by voice vote.

County staff told commissioners that four nonprofits applied to bid in the 2025 nonprofit tax-lien sale. "Four nonprofits have applied to participate in the 2025 nonprofit tax sale. These nonprofits are Martindale Brightwood CDC, Flanner House of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, and Habitat for Humanity," a county staff member identified in the record as Mister Ryan said. Staff recommended full approval for Martindale Brightwood CDC and Habitat for Humanity and recommended conditional approval for the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership (INHP) and Flanner House of Indianapolis pending payment of outstanding taxes.

Ryan said INHP has one parcel with unpaid spring taxes and Flanner House has five parcels, three of which are on the 2025 tax-lien list. He told the commissioners he had spoken with Brett Lyle at Flanner House, who indicated Flanner House expected to pay outstanding amounts by the end of the week. "If they fail to meet the conditions of approval by the deadline of October 1, then we just won't approve their application to bid. So it will just be, their registration will not be approved, and they will not be able to bid on these," Ryan said.

Ryan described planned uses for parcels if nonprofits acquire them. He said Flanner House intends to construct duplexes that would house two families, with one unit owned by a buyer who could receive rental income from the other unit. He described Habitat for Humanity and Martindale Brightwood as planning single-family housing and noted Martindale Brightwood has participated in prior nonprofit tax sales since 2022. Westside CDC, which had originally submitted an application, withdrew its application after staff said the organization had already spoken with others about overlapping parcels.

Votes at a glance — Minutes and adjournment: Commissioners approved the minutes from the Aug. 19, 2025, meeting after a motion by Barbara Lawrence and a second by Joseph O'Connor. Lawrence then moved a two-part motion to (1) approve Martindale Brightwood CDC and Habitat for Humanity for full participation and (2) approve INHP and Flanner House of Indianapolis pending payment of outstanding property taxes; O'Connor seconded. All motions were approved by voice vote. The meeting was later adjourned on a motion by Lawrence and second by O'Connor, approved by voice vote.

The county staff said it will provide an update on the outcome of the nonprofit tax-lien sale at the commissioners' Oct. 21 meeting, scheduled for 2 p.m. in the same room at the City County Building.