Grand Forks County schedules Nov. 18 tax sale, approves eviction notices for long-delinquent properties

The Grand Forks County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at a Nov. 18 special meeting to set the county tax sale for Nov. 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. and to approve notices of intent to evict properties that are long delinquent on property taxes.

Auditor Colleen (Speaker 6) told the board that "the Century Code states that all property acquired by the county tax deed must be appraised by the board of commissioners at least 30 days before the annual sale," and recommended the Nov. 18 sale date in the County Commission Room with terms "cash or check only." The board approved the recommendation on a motion by Speaker 2, seconded by Speaker 5, and the chair called the motion passed unanimously.

The board then approved a notice of intent to evict for properties delinquent on taxes. Auditor Colleen requested the chair's signature and involvement of the state's attorney on the notice. A motion to approve the notice was made by Speaker 5 and seconded by Speaker 2; the measure passed unanimously after discussion.

During discussion, Commissioner Mark (Speaker 1) asked whether owners had sought payment plans or filed grievances and said he "wouldn't mind actually taking a look" at leniency options, adding, "I've always struggled with the idea of taking people's property away from them." Auditor Colleen said the county had contacted owners and that some chose to let the property go while others paid off taxes. One commissioner (Speaker 5) opposed permitting late payment plans at the point of sale, saying owners "had ample time" to pay in full.

Board members noted that the properties in question had been delinquent for the statutory period (discussed as three years during the meeting) and that, under state law, the county's procedures and timelines are constrained. The chair and other commissioners suggested that any change to the statute would require legislative action and could be considered as a future priority but not within this meeting's authority.

What the board approved

- Tax sale: set for Nov. 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the County Commission Room; terms cash or check only. The auditor cited the Century Code appraisal deadline of at least 30 days before the annual sale.

- Notice of intent to evict: authorized for properties more than three years delinquent on taxes; the chair is to sign the notice and involve the state's attorney as requested by the auditor.

Next steps and context

Auditor Colleen will proceed with the administrative steps described (appraisals and paperwork) and obtain the chair's signature and review by the state's attorney. Commissioners who expressed concern about owners losing property said they would be open to discussing potential policy or legislative options at a later meeting but did not alter the county's current procedures. The meeting adjourned after the votes.

(Reporting based on the Nov. 18, 2025 Grand Forks County special meeting transcript.)