St. Martinville council adopts ordinance setting procedures to sell adjudicated properties

The St. Martinville City Council on April 21 adopted Ordinance No. 25-06, establishing a formal St. Martinville City Adjudicated Property Program that authorizes public sale or donation of properties adjudicated to the city and sets administrative procedures for those sales. The ordinance was offered by Councilman Mike Fuselier and seconded by Councilwoman Janise Anthony; the recorded vote was yeas from Fuselier, Carol Frederick, Jonas Fontenette, Janise Anthony and Flo Chatman with no nays or absences.

The ordinance instructs the city to administer the program itself or contract with a third-party “Management Company” to manage listings, title research, notice and public sales. It references Louisiana statutes governing adjudicated-property sales, including La. R.S. 47:2121 et seq., and requires public disclosure of forms and lists of adjudicated properties through the city’s publications and website.

Under the ordinance an individual interested in purchasing an adjudicated property must submit an application with a certified check or money order for $1,000 per property payable to E&P Consulting Services, LLC; that administrative fee is refundable until a Written Offer to Bid is signed. The Management Company is authorized to conduct title research, effect required public notice, calculate a minimum bid based on liens, taxes and acquisition costs, and prepare sales documentation. The ordinance states there is no statutory minimum bid but recommends that, unless circumstances dictate otherwise, the minimum should be the lesser of the total adjudicated amount (including interest, costs and governmental impositions) or two-thirds of assessed value.

The public auction process is to be handled at the St. Martinville City Council office with bids subject to final city approval. Acts of sale are required to be cash transactions sold “as is, where is” without title warranties; purchasers are advised to obtain title insurance at their expense. The ordinance requires purchasers to improve, renovate or make use of acquired property to the administration’s satisfaction within 365 days of the Act of Sale, and authorizes the council to rescind sales if purchasers fail to comply.

The ordinance also creates a "Lot Next Door" preference that allows the city to sell eligible adjudicated property directly to adjoining landowners without public bidding under set conditions, and authorizes donations of eligible adjudicated property to entities for constitutionally permitted public purposes. It includes standard severability language and becomes effective five days after publication in the official journal.

By setting application fees, minimum-bid guidance and a purchaser-improvement requirement, the ordinance establishes a structured pathway for returning adjudicated properties to productive use while preserving city oversight of sales and conveyances.