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Kandiyohi County sets spring auctions for tax-forfeited parcels under new state rules
Summary
After the Minnesota Supreme Court's Tyler decision, Kandiyohi County approved two resolutions to run auctions for two classes of forfeited parcels: a March 30 "good-faith" sale (with a 30-day owner-occupancy preference) and a March 31 estimated-market-value sale for more recent forfeitures; purchases must be cash-only.
KANDIYOHI COUNTY, Minn. — Kandiyohi County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved two resolutions to move forward with auctions of tax-forfeited properties under procedures prompted by the Minnesota Supreme Court's Tyler v. Minneapolis ruling.
Deputy auditor Michelle Hansen told the board the county will treat parcels forfeited between June 23, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2023 as "good-faith" forfeitures and will offer qualifying residential properties first to owner-occupants for 30 days. Hansen said the first auction for those parcels is scheduled for March 30 at 9 a.m., with a second sale planned April 29 for any unsold parcels.
Hansen said certain parcels forfeited after Dec. 31, 2023 will follow a separate estimated market value (EMV) sale process; the county plans an EMV auction on March 31 for that group, with a second sale using minimum bids (delinquent taxes, assessments and fees) if properties remain unsold.
Hansen explained several operational changes required by the court decision: purchasers must pay cash (no contracts) so the portion of sale proceeds that must go to the state is immediately available; sale prices will generally reflect appraisal or assessor guidance and may include county costs and fees; and counties are adding purchaser qualifications in sale terms, such as requiring bidders to have current property taxes paid on other holdings to avoid creating a new chain of delinquency. "Reason being is that we are required to send a certain portion to the state, and that has to be available funds immediately," Hansen said.
Cities with listed residential parcels include Wilmer, Sunberg, Raymond and Lake Lillian; two commercial parcels in Atwater will be included in the good-faith sale process but are not subject to the residential owner-occupant requirement. The board approved Resolutions 2026-13 and 2026-14.
What happens next: staff will publish required notices, post parcel details to the county website and hold in-person auctions on the scheduled dates; unsold properties after both sale rounds may be handled under older statutory procedures.
