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Commissioners discuss negotiated sale option for Grand Avenue tax-sale property; court approval required
Summary
Geary County commissioners reviewed options for a parcel on Grand Avenue taken at tax sale, discussing negotiated sale, city condemnation risk and assessments; staff advised court approval and public notice would be required for a negotiated sale.
Geary County commissioners discussed whether to pursue a negotiated sale or re-offer a parcel on Grand Avenue that the county acquired through a tax sale.
The discussion focused on the parcel's outstanding special assessments, the possibility the city may condemn the property, and procedural steps if the county chose a negotiated sale. A county staff member said a negotiated sale would require court approval and public notice naming the buyer and price, followed by a public hearing.
Why it matters: commissioners said the property has accumulated mowing and other assessments that reduce its resale value and that a negotiated sale, if pursued, would require transparency and court oversight. One county official recommended the county decide whether to attempt a negotiated sale before the next tax sale cycle so the interested buyer can resolve outstanding assessments or proceed before any city condemnation.
Commissioners and staff discussed details reported to the taxpayer and advised the taxpayer to gather assessment figures. A staff speaker noted the county typically reenters unsold parcels in subsequent tax sales; the negotiated-sale route is an alternate process reserved for some properties. Commissioners said the city has expressed interest in condemning the neighboring site, which could affect the county's options.
County staff reported the parcel's special assessments are listed through 2024 and that previous tax-sale attempts did not yield a purchaser. Commissioners discussed starting price considerations tied to assessed amounts and confirmed any negotiated sale would be published and subject to a public hearing and court approval.
No formal decision to pursue a negotiated sale was recorded in the public transcript; staff were instructed to coordinate with the interested party about assessment amounts and next steps.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue communication with the interested buyer and to return with next steps so the board can decide whether to pursue a negotiated sale prior to the next scheduled tax sale.
