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County approves sale and release of claims for 2191 Finch Street; officials say tenants will remain
Summary
The Cumberland County Board approved a resolution authorizing a sale and release of claims for a forfeited residential property at 2191 Finch Street. County officials said the sale proceeds will go to the forfeiture fund and that tenants with existing rights will not be evicted under the settlement.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a settlement that authorizes the sale of residential property at 2191 Finch Street and a release of claims between the county and named holdover tenants.
County staff described the property as obtained by the county prosecutor through forfeiture proceedings. The staff member explained the goal of the agreement is to return fair value for the property to the county's forfeiture fund while minimizing disruption to tenants who were already living in the house when the county acquired it. "We're not evicting the people," the staff member told the board, and said the settlement is structured to account for tenant rights in the property.
Officials said the county paid for an appraisal and expected the appraisal cost to be covered from forfeiture funds so the transaction would be "net neutral" to the county's general fund. A commissioner added a caveat that the tenants named in the resolution "had nothing to do with the criminal action that begot the forfeiture."
The motion to approve the sale and release of claims passed unanimously on the record. Commissioners who recorded affirmative votes included Commissioner Ocasio, Commissioner Albrecht, Commissioner Romero, Commissioner Lodes, Commissioner Taylor, Deputy Director Marshon and Director Sarra.
The resolution language and meeting materials identify the action as an agreement to authorize sale and release of claims tied to county forfeiture proceedings; the transcript indicates the property includes tenants and a pastor of a local church referenced as living in the home. The resolution does not, in the transcript excerpt, specify the sale price or detailed terms of the release beyond the county's intent to obtain fair value and preserve tenant occupancy rights.
Officials said the proceeds would go into the county's forfeiture fund for future uses allowed under forfeiture law and that the county's approach is intended to balance recovery of value with minimizing displacement for current occupants.
