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Local business owner presses county on tax‑deed parking‑lot dispute; county outlines options including special assessment or foreclosure
Summary
A Sumter County business owner pressed the board to resolve a multi‑year tax‑deed dispute over a commercial parking lot the county now holds; county counsel outlined options including conveyance to a condo association, an MSBU special assessment, waiving back taxes, or code enforcement that could end in foreclosure.
Dr. Brent Compton, a local physician and business owner, asked the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 11 to resolve a long‑running dispute over a parking lot that now appears to be owned by the county after prior tax‑deed proceedings and litigation.
Compton said he recently purchased commercial property whose shared parking area was later split into a separately taxed parcel; past owners failed to pay taxes and the parcel ultimately went through tax‑deed sale and litigation. County counsel explained the history in detail: tax deed activity from 2007–2010, a 2013 tax‑deed sale, subsequent court litigation about reformation of deeds, and an ultimately issued achievement deed to the county following resolution of litigation. The county now holds title to the parking lot but faces unpaid taxes, penalties and legal costs.
County counsel summarized options for resolving the matter: (1) if condominium unit owners agree in writing, the county could convey the parking lot back to the association (subject to the association’s internal vote); (2) the county could require a municipal service benefit unit (MSBU) special assessment to cover annual maintenance costs (county staff estimated about $11,760 per year split across the units); (3) the board could consider waiving the back taxes and interest to make the taxpayer whole; or (4) the county could proceed with code enforcement remedies, which could lead to liens and foreclosure.
County staff said the market value listed for the parcel is $647,610 and that the county has asked for $178,298.44 to cover back taxes, interest and legal fees. Commissioners directed county staff and the attorney to return to the next meeting with a menu of structured options and cost estimates, and to attempt additional outreach to unit owners to determine willingness to cooperate.
Dr. Compton said he and other owners are willing to work toward an equitable resolution and asked the board to avoid foreclosure if possible. The board asked staff to explore leniency options and alternatives to foreclosure and requested options be presented at the next meeting.
