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Finance committee recommends selling Twin Lakes tax-deeded lot to one of two prior bidders after years of failed auctions
Summary
The committee reviewed options for 503 N. Lake Ave (Twin Lakes), a tax-deeded nuisance property with multiple failed auctions and potential contamination. Committee members favored offering the parcel to one of two earlier $50,000 bidders (Bear Realty or a neighbor) and directed the clerk to pursue that path rather than retain the parcel.
The Kenosha County Finance Committee reviewed options June 16 for a tax-deeded parcel at 503 North Lake Ave in Twin Lakes, a nuisance property the county took as tax deed on March 26, 2025 after years of delinquent taxes and multiple bankruptcies by the prior owner.
County clerk staff summarized the property's auction history: an initial appraisal of $174,500 produced no bids, a later sealed-bid sale produced a $72,500 top bid that was rescinded, and two other prior bidders had each submitted $50,000 bids. Staff reported current county costs and outstanding charges associated with the parcel and said the county must recoup fees, taxes and specials in the order required by statute when selling.
Staff outlined options: re-offer to prior bidders, re-auction, raze/remove the structure (raise) and sell, transfer for training use (e.g., controlled burn), or allow a repurchase by the prior owner (which would require payment of roughly $112,236 under statute). The clerk and planning staff warned of contamination concerns, asbestos considerations and regulatory requirements for demolition or training use near a gas station and neighboring businesses.
Committee members said they wanted the county to stop incurring maintenance costs and return the parcel to the tax roll. Several supervisors favored offering the parcel first to the two earlier $50,000 bidders; the chair asked staff to proceed with that approach (one supervisor preferred the neighbor bid first, others favored Bear Realty on fiscal grounds because a commercial reuse would likely produce higher future tax revenue). Staff said both bidders had indicated interest and that the county would move to complete sale paperwork if a bidder signs and pays required amounts.
What happens next: The clerk will contact the two prior bidders in the order directed by the committee, and the county will proceed with the sale if a bidder completes payment. If neither buyer completes, staff will return to the committee with alternative options such as re-auction, raze/raise or disposal.
