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Commissioners amend auction contract so sellers, not auctioneer, handle title paperwork
Summary
Newton County amended its contract with Auctioneer Express to require sellers to handle and deliver title paperwork to buyers, a change county staff says will reduce title delays for auctioned items.
Newton County Commissioners Court on Aug. 26 approved an amendment to the county’s Auctioneer Express contract that will remove the auctioneer’s authority to sign or handle vehicle titles as the seller’s agent.
Shar explained that beginning Sept. 1, 2025, the amendment will require sellers to handle and deliver all title paperwork and transfer notifications to buyers within the state-required timeframe, typically 30 days. Under the change, Auctioneer Express will still need photographs of titles before auctions to document existing title status and vehicle year/remarks, but will not sign titles on behalf of sellers. The amendment was proposed after buyers reported delays receiving titles; one buyer mentioned in the meeting, Todd McDonald, had not received his title.
A commissioner moved to approve the amendment; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The change is intended to allow county staff to handle title delivery directly when buyers pick up items, reducing reliance on the auctioneer for title processing.
Next steps: staff will implement the contract amendment effective Sept. 1 and update auction procedures so sellers provide title paperwork at pickup.
