Madera County tax collector reports high second‑installment compliance, warns of online tax sale starting this weekend

Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer‑Tax Collector, told the Board of Supervisors on May 6 that the county’s second property‑tax installment payment rate is about 93 percent and that the office has mailed roughly 4,500 delinquent notices.

Kennedy said outstanding delinquencies for the first and second installments total roughly $7 million. She also said many parcels listed for the county’s upcoming online tax sale carry code‑enforcement liens tied to cleanup costs, illegal grows and other charges; those enforcement fees increase minimum bids on affected parcels.

The county’s online tax sale was scheduled to begin on the Saturday following the May 6 meeting. Kennedy explained that later in the sale the county has authority to reduce minimum bids to encourage bidding and the redemption of properties; the county previously approved that practice. She urged residents to use free eCheck payment options and noted the office’s new lobby and expanded cashier stations.

Why it matters: Property tax delinquencies affect county revenues and local services. Code‑enforcement liens added to tax bills can increase minimum bids at tax sale and complicate redemption for property owners.

What the board heard: Kennedy invited board members to visit the new tax office lobby and asked residents to pay what they owe to avoid penalties. No board action was taken on the report.

Notes and limits: Kennedy provided the $7 million figure and the 93 percent payment rate during public comment. The transcript does not include a parcel count for the tax sale or the specific redemption deadline for each parcel; where the transcript used an unclear word for a deadline Kennedy's oral statement was recorded as "the last day that they can redeem their parcel is Bridal," which is not a standard date format and should be verified with the tax collector’s office for precise deadlines.