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Marathon County committee conditionally approves sale of tax‑foreclosed Schofield property after cleanup
Summary
The committee approved, subject to verification of environmental cleanup conditions, a sale of county‑owned property at 281 Grand Avenue in Schofield to the city for $550,000. County appraisals were $400,000 (county) and $395,000 (city). Tentative post‑acquisition costs and delinquent taxes total $324,108.19.
MARATHON COUNTY — The Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee voted to approve the sale of a tax‑foreclosed parcel at 281 Grand Avenue in the city of Schofield to the city, conditioned on verification of environmental cleanup issues noted in the purchase addendum.
County staff said the parcel was acquired through the tax deed process after delinquent taxes and an outstanding human health hazard court matter. Administrator Leonard said the county secured an appraisal and pursued remediation and abatement work tied to the human health hazard case before advertising the property for sale. "We did a lot of work to remediate that property and clean it up," Leonard said, noting staff have documented those costs for recovery under the sale process.
Key figures discussed at the meeting: - Offer from City of Schofield: $550,000 (purchase agreement and addendum in packet). - County appraisal: $400,000. - City appraisal: $395,000. - Total delinquent taxes, interest and penalties owed: $145,039.41. - Total post‑acquisition costs (cleanup, personnel, utilities, appraisal): $179,068.78. - Combined taxes and post‑acquisition costs: $324,108.19 (tentative; final amounts will be confirmed at transfer).
County counsel and staff explained that state law and the county's ordinance allow municipalities to negotiate for property acquired via tax deed provided the county recovers fair market value and expenses; any remainder constitutionally and statutorily would be remitted to the former owner. Committee members questioned whether selling above the appraised value would expose the county to claims; county legal staff cautioned that intentionally reducing a bona fide offer could create legal risk.
Chair Gibbs made a motion to approve the sale conditioned on verification of environmental cleanup matters; Supervisor Hart seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
What happens next: Staff will finalize post‑acquisition cost figures at transfer and work with city counsel to clarify language in the environmental site assessment addendum; the sale proceeds will be applied first to delinquent taxes, then to county costs, with any remainder handled according to statute and court precedent.
