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County, city officials debate ‘sight-unseen’ tax-sales, demolition and cost-sharing
Summary
Commissioners and city representatives debated how to handle delinquent tax properties that are sold ‘sight unseen,’ whether the county or cities should tear down blighted homes, and whether the county should share demolition costs with municipalities to reduce blight and downstream social costs.
Emmons County commissioners and city representatives discussed ongoing problems with delinquent tax properties and whether the county should change policies for selling, inspecting or demolishing blighted houses.
Speakers said many tax-sale bidders cannot or do not inspect properties before bidding. Commissioners and municipal representatives reported that some properties have been empty for years and that dilapidated houses attract undesirable activity that increases workload and cost for sheriff’s deputies, local hospitals and clean-up crews. Several speakers urged a coordinated county–city program to identify the worst properties and share costs to tear them down, or to allow cities that accept returned properties for $1 to make demolition decisions and charge back the costs.
City officials and commissioners discussed options: (1) continue “sight unseen” tax sales and accept the associated liability and cost; (2) hire a realtor or allow viewings before sales (with liability waivers) though that could increase staff time and cost; or (3) adopt a formal cost-share program under which the county and affected city split demolition costs or use county equipment in winter to perform demolitions. Several speakers urged increased coordination so that lots can be cleared and offered to adjacent property owners or reused for community projects such as parks or gardens.
Next steps: staff were asked to explore legal and logistical steps for a county–city demolition cost-share pilot, and to consider whether demolition work could be scheduled in winter and use county equipment to reduce contractor expenses.
