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Todd County authorizes online platform for tax-forfeiture sales following Supreme Court decision
Summary
Auditor-Treasurer recommended moving tax-forfeited property sales to an online auction platform (BidforAssets) to comply with new post-Tyler v. Hennepin procedures; board authorized the Auditor-Treasurer to sign the vendor agreement (annual auto-renewal) after confirming DNR and city rights in the revised sale sequence.
Todd County's Auditor-Treasurer recommended on Oct. 1 that the county use an online auction platform (BidforAssets) to administer tax-forfeited property sales in light of recent legal changes following the U.S. Supreme Court's Tyler v. Hennepin County decision.
Staff said the new statutory process shortens timeframes and creates multiple sale phases (market-value sale, second sale on cost, and a third sale under older rules), which may require multiple sales within a year. The Auditor-Treasurer told commissioners there is no upfront cost for the county and that convenience fees are paid by purchasers; the county would still receive its usual fees from sales proceeds. The vendor agreement was reviewed by the county attorney.
Commissioners asked about vendor fees and contract length. Staff said the percentage charged to purchasers would be confirmed after follow-up and that the agreement renews annually unless either party terminates. County legal staff summarized the legal background, explaining the U.S. Supreme Court decision requires courts or counties to return surplus sale proceeds to record owners rather than retain them to satisfy tax debts.
The board authorized the Auditor-Treasurer to sign the agreement with BidforAssets by voice vote.
