Tax office reports strong online‑auction results and seeks resale of Lake Deerwood lots

Harrison County’s tax office briefed the commissioners on tax‑collection activity, delinquent balances and recent success with online tax auctions, and requested authorization to resell 15 Lake Deerwood lots that earlier were bid in trust.

The tax office reported cumulative collection rates above 100% of adjusted levies for recent years and said the county collected 97.71% of 2023 levied taxes as of April 30. The office reported outstanding delinquent balance as of May 16, 2025, at just over $2.2 million and said 15.3% of the delinquent roll is covered by pending suits or judgments, while 17.21% is covered by tax deferral programs.

The office described steps taken to address mineral‑interest accounts and efforts with the appraisal district to hold oil and gas operators accountable for reporting division orders and royalty breakdowns. The tax office also reviewed activity since Jan. 1, 2023: 750 suits filed on 1,941 property accounts, 169 tax warrants on 1,452 accounts, and 1,132 first‑time postings for sale in that period.

Online auctions introduced in 2024 were described as successful, producing competitive bidding and increased excess proceeds; the speaker said about $237,000 in excess proceeds came to the county over four years and almost $80,000 had been recorded in 2025 so far. The court approved the resolution to resell the specified Lake Deerwood properties in August as requested.

County staff said maps and additional details of the Lake Deerwood lots are available and will be provided to commissioners.