Council introduced sale of six tax-forfeited lots to local builders

City staff presented an introduction to Ordinance 2025-15 on June 9 authorizing the sale of six city-owned properties acquired through tax forfeiture under the city's home preservation program.

Acting City Manager Ryan Henry said staff marketed the vacant lots to builders interested in constructing single-family, owner-occupied homes. The proposed buyers and prices Henry reported were: Tri Power LLC at 470 Fifth/475 East Church Street for $1,000; GC Custom Homes for three parcels (536 E. Second Street for $5,001; 5 Jackson Street for $3,000; 607 S. Monroe Street for $3,000); and Emery Builders for 476 E. Second Street and 656 E. Second Street at $10,000 each. Henry said staff vetted multiple proposals and selected offers the team judged most attractive.

Council members welcomed reinvestment in neighborhoods. Councilman Crawford asked why some lots received higher offers; Henry and staff said offers were selected by staff for multiple factors, including lot size and developer proposals. A city official noted the city commonly pays roughly $2,000 to acquire a tax-forfeited lot when accounting for court and recording costs.

Henry and council members framed the sales as part of an infill strategy to reduce long-term maintenance of vacant parcels and to bring families back into neighborhoods; staff said some proceeds and downstream taxes benefit local taxing districts and school funding.

Ordinance 2025-15 was introduced for first reading; council did not take a final vote on the sales at the June 9 meeting.