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Richmond resident says heirs were not notified of surplus tax‑sale funds totaling about $34,000
Summary
A speaker told council that surplus funds from a tax sale tied to his late mother’s property were not properly distributed to heirs and that checks totaling roughly $16,000 for him and his sister went unclaimed while the city retained about $34,000 in surplus funds.
Johnny Sizer addressed the Richmond City Council during public comment to raise an unresolved surplus funds issue arising from a tax sale on property owned by his late mother, Rosetta Lightfoot Sizer.
Sizer said he and his sister were owed a check for more than $16,000 but learned of the funds only after being contacted by a stranger on Facebook. He told council that, when he sought to claim the money, he was told the funds were no longer available. He said the city retained a total of about $34,000 in surplus funds from the sale and that the funds sat at the John Marshall Courts building for two years despite Sizer and his sister being listed as heirs in court records.
"My sister and I had over $16,000 in funds as a result of a surplus tax sale of a property that my deceased mother owned," Sizer said during his three‑minute comment. "In total, the funds were $34,000 surplus funds that the city has kept from a tax sale." He said previous attempts to resolve the matter beginning in 2020 with his then‑representative, Kim Gray, were unsuccessful.
Council response President Newbill said the council had the documents Sizer submitted and that staff would review them. Councilmember Gibson was noted in the meeting as looking into a possible ordinance through a policy team to address related issues; Sizer said he understood a city policy team was examining the matter.
What is on the record Sizer requested public advocacy and attention to what he described as a lack of notification and the city’s retention of surplus funds. He said his sister lives in Northern Virginia and could not attend the meeting. Council acknowledged receipt of Sizer’s materials and said staff would review and follow up.
Clarifying details Sizer said the family was owed a check for more than $16,000. He said the total surplus funds from the tax sale amounted to about $34,000 and that the funds remained at the John Marshall Courts building for roughly two years. He described prior efforts beginning in 2020 to resolve the issue with no outcome.
Next steps Council staff acknowledged receipt of Sizer’s documents and said they would review them. Council members indicated staff follow‑up would occur but did not provide a timetable or a specific remedy at the meeting.
