Ramsey County commissioners approve quitclaim of disputed tax-deed interest after attorney review

At a meeting of the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, the board voted to quitclaim any county claim in a parcel tied to a 2005 tax deed after the county attorney said private owners have been paying taxes on the land for roughly 20 years.

Assistant State's Attorney Howell told the board he re-examined a county tax deed recorded in February 2005 and concluded the deed could be read to include land previously deeded to Dennis Reagan. Howell said private parties have paid taxes on that parcel since about 2003 and, based on those facts, ‘‘they would absolutely win if we did take them to court,’’ describing an adverse-possession likelihood if the county pursued quiet-title litigation. Howell recommended the county execute a quitclaim deed to remove any cloud on title rather than incur litigation.

Howell said county staff would prepare the quitclaim deed for signature by the appropriate county official (Candy, the staff member who typically handles tax deeds), and the deed would then be provided to counsel for Beersford Charlo, LLC to execute the final steps.

Commissioners conducted a roll-call vote after the motion and second. The recorded responses during roll call were Will Hammey — aye; Commissioner Volk — aye; Commissioner Hodes — aye; Commissioner Frith — aye; Commissioner Gessner — aye. The chair stated the motion carried.

The board’s action was limited to transferring whatever claim the county held to the private parcel identified in the deed; Howell and staff noted there remain related tax-parcel mapping issues in the Riggins Acres area that staff continue to investigate. The quitclaim resolves the county’s asserted interest as described in the deed but does not itself change past tax payment history by private parties.

The board did not direct further court action; staff were instructed to finalize the quitclaim paperwork and record it once signed.