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Tax office works to resolve 'unknown' properties; county collected $26,000 after updated delinquent-tax notices
Summary
Staff said mapping and deed research identified 15–20 properties with 'unknown' owners dating to the 1930s in some cases; under state law the county can only issue discovery bills for five prior years. Manager also said clearer delinquent-tax letters have generated about $26,000 in collections since November.
Tax and mapping staff briefed the Scotland County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 2 about a group of properties recorded as 'unknown' in the county’s GIS system and about recent delinquent-tax collection gains.
John Jorgensen and mapping staff reported they have found roughly 15–20 parcels with unclear ownership due to gaps in deed records. Paula Lewis, the tax-office mapper and GIS specialist, has researched title chains in some cases back to the 1930s. Staff explained that under state law discovery bills may only be assessed for the previous five years; pursuing full title work and foreclosures can be costly because attorney and title-search fees can exceed a property’s value.
Separately, managerial staff said a revised delinquent-tax letter—attached to tax system printouts and explaining amounts owed, due dates and next steps—has produced an additional $26,000 in collections since November. Commissioners asked staff to research legal remedies and consistent procedures for dealing with unknown owners and to return with options before July 1.
No new policy was adopted at the meeting; staff committed to bring specific proposals and legal research back to the board.
