Surry County board authorizes scheduled tax foreclosure sales for six properties

Surry County tax administrator Penny Harris told the Board of Commissioners at the July 21 meeting that the tax office recommends scheduling six properties for a tax foreclosure sale and the board voted to proceed.

Harris said staff had prepared packets on the properties and that the county had taken multiple collection steps before pursuing foreclosure, including repeated notices, statements, garnishing wages when possible, levying bank accounts, and sending demand letters through the contracted foreclosure attorney (the Canyon Law Firm). Harris said the department does not move toward foreclosure until accounts are at least five years delinquent in most cases.

The properties vary: two parcels include buildings and farm equipment; some parcels are described as abandoned or having mobile homes or campers; several are vacant land with road frontage; one parcel is land with unpaved access behind another property but has an easement. Harris explained advertising costs affect proposed opening bid calculations for some parcels.

Commissioners asked whether adjoining property owners had been notified; Harris replied the Canyon Law Firm handles owner outreach and website listings and she agreed to double-check that letters were sent to adjoining owners for a specific 0.18‑acre parcel on Highway 268 near Elkin. After that clarification, Commissioner Van Tucker moved to proceed with the scheduled sale as presented; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Melissa Hyatt and carried.

Ending: The board’s vote authorizes staff and the county’s foreclosure counsel to proceed with advertising and scheduling the tax sales; specific sale dates and opening bids will follow the foreclosure attorney’s procedures and required advertising.