Elbert County public trustee reports uptick in foreclosures; board approves quarterly report

Sherry Hewlett, Elbert County treasurer and public trustee, told commissioners on July 22 that the county is seeing an uptick in foreclosures this year and presented the 2nd quarter public trustee report for approval.

Hewlett said the office recorded 10 new foreclosures in the most recent quarter and that, as of the meeting, the county was up to 19 new foreclosures year‑to‑date — two more than the previous year at the same point. "As I stand before you this morning, we're up 19," she said, and urged property owners facing foreclosure to contact the public trustee's office for assistance.

Hewlett outlined recent sales, deeds and withdrawals and said excess public trustee funds will be used to cover office salaries and fees; she indicated $18,008.37 would be transferred into the public trustee fund and that at the end of the fourth quarter remaining excess funds will move to the county general fund.

Commissioner Schroeder asked whether current increases resembled prior periods. Hewlett said the county's largest foreclosure years were 2008–2009, when the county saw more than 300 foreclosures across those two years, and she said she did not expect to reach those levels now.

Commissioner McDaniel moved to approve the 2nd quarter public trustee report; the motion was seconded and carried with aye votes.