Lake County approves $663,489.75 distribution of tax-sale excess proceeds; adds late $8,073 claim

The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to distribute $663,489.75 in excess proceeds from Tax-Defaulted Land Sale No. 162 (held May 31, 2024), following a recommendation from the treasurer-tax collector and after reopening the item to incorporate a late claim.

Treasury staff told the board the office had mailed notice and claim forms and required claim submissions no later than one year after the tax-sale deeds were recorded. Staff reported roughly 34 claims were filed (about $435,000 in claimed amounts), with small unclaimed amounts and an unclaimed balance remaining; during presentation an approximate pool figure was described by staff, and county counsel later recited the finalized motion amount of $663,489.75.

The matter included a contested set of claims from heirs of a previously titled owner. Elizabeth Larson, who identified herself as the daughter-in-law of the late Sophie Jensen and the wife of…