Lander County commissioners vote to bid at tax sale for Old Austin School after debate over county acquisition

On July 10, 2025, the Lander County Board of Commissioners voted to let the Old Austin School property proceed to the county tax sale and to place a county bid at that sale rather than immediately acquire the parcel through a public-purpose finding.

The parcel is currently held by the county treasurer for delinquent taxes totaling $48,001.57. Commissioners debated two primary paths: (1) leave the property in the tax-sale process and bid as a county bidder at auction, or (2) hold a separate public meeting to determine whether a county acquisition served a public purpose and, if so, have the county pay the back taxes and take title.

Legal counsel Mike McDonald, identified in the meeting as chief deputy attorney, explained the county’s options and said the county could either bid at the tax sale or initiate a separate proceeding to acquire the property if the board determined a public purpose existed. Commissioners and members of the public discussed trade-offs: allowing the sale could result in a private buyer who might invest in repairs, while acquiring the building would require the county to identify and justify a specific public use and could include additional fees that are not all waivable.

Speakers from the public said the building is large and in deteriorating condition; several residents suggested repurposing it for offices, housing or community services, and urged action so the structure does not further decay. Commissioners said they were reluctant to hold county resources on an indefinite basis without a clear, documented plan for public use. The board noted options if it later wished to acquire the property: it could buy the parcel at auction if no other bidder prevailed, or pursue a separate public-purpose finding and purchase.

After discussion the commission voted to let the property go through the tax-sale process and to participate as a bidder at that sale. Commissioners said that by bidding at auction the county could obtain the property without immediate hearings required for an acquisition and retain flexibility to sell or repurpose the asset later if the county obtained title.

Next steps as discussed in the meeting: the treasurer will continue to hold the parcel pending the tax sale; the county may place a bid at the sale. If the county acquires the property through the tax sale or later decides to pursue acquisition by public-purpose finding, the commission indicated it would return to the board with a formal plan and any necessary findings for public acquisition.