The Muncie Land Bank on Nov. 20 presented an analysis of the 2025 tax sale that highlighted high numbers of unsold parcels inside the city and concentrated purchasing by a few buyers.

Zach, a land‑bank analyst, said 522 parcels within Muncie were listed for the 2025 tax sale; he said 191 parcels were sold (recouping about $376,000 in delinquent taxes and fines) while 331 did not sell, leaving roughly $2.8 million in delinquent taxes uncollected through the sale process. He reported 25 buyers participated, with the top five responsible for about 90% of money spent and 61% of certificates; the top buyer alone spent more than 40% of the total.

Zach said many unsold parcels have appeared repeatedly at tax sales over several years, sometimes showing up five or more times, and described the land bank’s aim to "take care of properties that no one else wants" by returning them to productive use when possible. Commissioners and land‑bank staff discussed redemption rules and surplus funds under Indiana’s tax‑sale process, and noted that surplus funds are initially held in escrow and only contribute to county general funds after redemption windows expire.

The land bank also reported three recent sales (each for $10,000) to developers and ongoing neighborhood planning work that includes design guidelines for the Old West End. Commissioners suggested the MRC engage with the county to explore options to reduce abuse or improve the tax‑sale process.