Surry County authorizes scheduling of eight tax-foreclosure sales

The Surry County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 authorized Tax Administrator Penny Harrison to schedule sales for eight tax-foreclosed properties after an informational presentation and questions from commissioners.

Harrison told the board she had performed site visits on properties with homes and that appraisers had provided photographs for vacant lots; the county advertised the forthcoming sales in two newspapers and provided maps and photographs in the meeting packet. She said the opening bid on one property carries a tax value of $399,810 with an opening bid of $24,000; the opening bid calculation reflects five years of unpaid taxes, advertising costs and attorney fees, she said.

Commissioners asked how many times owners are notified and whether signs have been posted; Harrison said the contracted county law firm performs required notifications (certified mail) and that signs would be posted after the board approved scheduling, with photos emailed to her as proof. She reiterated that delinquent owners may pay to stop a sale on the day of sale and that if a winning bidder is recorded, a 10-day upset-bid period applies and runs until no new challenges are filed.

A motion by Commissioner Bill Goins to allow the tax administrator to schedule the sales was seconded by Commissioner Hyatt and carried by voice vote.

Harrison said she had eight properties in the packet and could provide additional notice-history details on request; specific parcel identifiers and opening bid amounts are listed in the tax office memorandum and advertisement.