Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Delinquent Property Sale topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners authorize public sale of delinquent‑tax properties; approve several routine agreements and a $21,906.45 transfer
Summary
The court approved a resolution authorizing public sale of properties acquired at delinquent tax sale (approving sale of Indian Lakes lots and tabling one Shepherdsburg lot for later discussion), passed routine employee-benefits agreements and a line-item transfer of $21,906.45 for attorney fees; several other procedural items were approved by voice vote.
The Newton County Commissioners Court voted to authorize public sale of properties the county acquired at delinquent tax sale and approved several routine fiscal and administrative items, including a line-item transfer to cover attorney fees.
Property sale resolution: The court considered a resolution authorizing public sale of county‑acquired parcels. County staff described a cluster of lots in the Indian Lakes subdivision (noted in the presentation as lots in the range including lots 150–162 and adjacent strips) and a separate roughly 1‑acre parcel in the Shepherdsburg survey that appears landlocked and without a conventional address. Commissioners discussed naming properties in the resolution and whether to handle the Shepherdsburg parcel separately; one commissioner requested tabling the second property so it could be reviewed further or, if appropriate, discussed in closed session. The court voted to authorize the sale of the identified Indian Lakes parcels and agreed to table further action on the Shepherdsburg parcel pending additional review.
Routine approvals and finances: The court approved routine items by voice vote. The consent agenda and previous meeting minutes were approved. Commissioners approved new TAC Health, Dental and Life rates for calendar year 2025–26 and authorized an interlocal participation agreement with the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool; they also approved a HIPAA certification agreement tied to that pool. The court voted to make no changes to the county's 2026 fee schedule.
Line-item transfer for attorney fees: The court approved a line-item transfer moving $21,906.45 from contingency (account 010409-396) to miscellaneous expense (010409-489) to pay attorney fees. Commissioners discussed efforts to recover those fees in ongoing litigation; one commissioner said earlier attempts in state court focused on recovering attorney fees and that the case has moved to federal court, where recovery efforts may differ.
Votes at a glance (items approved by voice vote unless noted): - Consent agenda and minutes — approved (motion: Commissioner White; second: Commissioner Vincent). - Resolution authorizing public sale of county-acquired delinquent‑tax properties (Indian Lakes lots approved; Shepherdsburg 1‑acre parcel tabled for separate review) — approved (motion: Speaker 1; second: Mr. Hobson). - TAC Health, Dental and Life rates for 2025–26 — approved (motion: Speaker 1; second: Commissioner Hobson). - Interlocal participation agreement with Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool — approved (motion: Commissioner White; second: Commissioner Vincent). - HIPAA certification agreement related to TAC benefits pool — approved (motion: Speaker 1; second: Commissioner White). - No change to county fee schedule for 2026 — approved (motion: Speaker 1; second: Commissioner White). - Line-item transfer of $21,906.45 to pay attorney fees — approved (motion: Commissioner Haas; second: Commissioner Powell).
Next steps: County staff will proceed with the public-sale process for the approved properties and further review the Shepherdsburg parcel; financial staff will process the approved transfer and continue efforts to seek recovery of attorney fees through the county—s legal channels.
