Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Board approves $27,226 distribution to claimant after excess proceeds review, deducts staff processing fee
Loading...
Summary
After additional research and an online claimant statement, the board voted to distribute $27,226.33 from TDLS 161 to IHH LLC, deducting $1,095 to cover post-hearing special-projects staff time; supervisors discussed standardizing fee handling for future excess proceeds claims.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved distribution of excess proceeds from tax-defaulted land sale number 161 after the County Treasurer/Tax Collector reported follow-up research had confirmed the claimant's entitlement.
Treasurer/Tax Collector staff explained that at the prior hearing they could recommend only half the claim because the recorder's index did not include a necessary affidavit; subsequent research and additional documentation indicated the joint tenant had been deceased and that the claimant's right to the funds was supportable. The remaining funds totaled $28,321.33.
Several supervisors said they were uncomfortable that the claimant had not attended the earlier hearing and raised concerns about rewarding nonattendance. The claimant, who participated online, said they believed they had submitted the required documentation before the original deadline and had no additional evidence to add at that hearing; the claimant noted a five‑hour travel distance and said appearing then would have been futile.
County staff estimated roughly 15–16 hours of additional effort after the original hearing. Using the special projects fee schedule, staff recommended an administrative deduction of $1,095 (calculated at $73/hour) to recover post‑hearing costs. County counsel cited Revenue and Taxation Code guidance that allows the board to determine portions of proceeds where appropriate. The board voted to distribute $27,226.33 to claimant IHH LLC (the full amount minus the $1,095 fee). The motion passed on a roll call vote.
Supervisors asked staff to standardize fee handling and consider delegating certain excess-proceeds decisions to the Treasurer/Tax Collector's office to avoid routine board time on small administrative matters.
What happens next: The Treasurer/Tax Collector will process the payment for $27,226.33 and return with proposed standardized fee language or delegation options for board consideration.
