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Finance committee weighs options for tax-deeded Twin Lakes property; committee favors developer bid
Summary
Clerk and staff reviewed the history of a nuisance tax-deeded property at 503 N. Lake Ave. (Twin Lakes), explained prior auctions and a rescinded highest bid; staff laid out options — accept one of two prior $50,000 bidders (neighbor or commercial developer), pursue demolition/raise at county expense, or re-auction — and the committee expressed a majority preference for the commercial bidder (Bear Realty) while staff will proceed with follow-up steps.
Kenosha County clerks and planning staff briefed the Finance & Administration Committee on April 16 about a tax-deeded nuisance property at 503 North Lake Avenue in Twin Lakes and asked for committee guidance on disposition.
The clerk reported the county took the property as a tax deed on March 26, 2025 after multiple years of delinquency and a history of trespass and nuisance complaints. The property has been appraised and auctioned several times; the highest sealed-bid sale in early April produced a $72,500 award but the bidder later rescinded. Two prior bidders each submitted $50,000 during earlier sealed processes; staff included both bids in the committee packet.
Staff outlined four practical options: (1) contact the two prior $50,000 bidders and sell to one of them (finance staff recommended this as fiscally expedient), (2) attempt another public auction, (3) undertake demolition/raise the building (estimates vary and county would bear the cost), or (4) allow the previous owner to repurchase under statutory conditions (repurchase period expired and would require full payment of taxes, fees and liens — staff provided a repurchase figure of approximately $112,235.66 if pursued retroactively).
The committee considered public-safety concerns, the likelihood that the previous owner could pay to repurchase, and the county’s changing statutory obligations under recent state law (Wisconsin Act 207) that shortened timelines and tightened accounting requirements for tax-deed processing. Staff said the village of Twin Lakes welcomed productive re-use of the parcel but had not elected to pursue an immediate raze order.
Several supervisors urged a quick disposition to remove the nuisance and limit ongoing county costs; others asked for updated appraisals and clarity on how raising the structure would affect taxes or future assessments. After discussion, committee members indicated a majority preference to offer the parcel to Bear Realty (the developer bidder) first, with the neighbor bidder as a secondary option if Bear declines; staff said they would proceed to execute the committee’s guidance.
Ending: The committee provided direction to staff to pursue the commercially oriented bidder (Bear Realty) as the county’s preferred purchaser and to return with next steps or to proceed with sale if the bidder confirms intent; the clerk will carry out next procedural steps under the tax-deed ordinance and new CTG procedures.
