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Warren County committee clears taxes on foreclosed parcels, hears foreclosure and condo valuation updates
Summary
The Warren County Environmental Concerns and Real Property Tax Services Committee voted to move action items 1–5 together to eliminate taxes on several foreclosed or unusable parcels, heard that 58 parcels remain on the county's foreclosure list (50 fewer than last report), and discussed draft condo valuation legislation seeking home rule to value condos at market rather than by income.
The Warren County Environmental Concerns and Real Property Tax Services Committee on July 22 voted to group and approve action items 1–5, a set of resolutions chiefly intended to eliminate outstanding taxes on properties taken in tax foreclosure, many of which the director described as unusable because of wetlands or airport buffers.
The chair asked for a motion to move items 1–5 together; Supervisor Strainer moved and Supervisor Cressido seconded. The chair called the question and, after committee members voiced 'Aye,' the motion carried.
Director McKeown gave the committee an overview of the parcels included in the resolutions, saying the items were listed separately only because of different delinquent tax years. "So the 1st resolution is the old, cap landfill off of Jacobsville Road. This is a property that was taken in tax foreclosure," McKeown said, and added that other parcels are rural town properties off Baker Road or Ridge and that many are retained for airport purposes or have wetlands and are not usable.
McKeown also provided a tax foreclosure status update: "We have our tax foreclosure, which is in October. Currently, we have 58 parcels still on the list, which actually is 50 less than the last time I reported," he said, and noted owners have until July 31 to pay or enter into installment agreements; staff expect some owners to come in to settle and said they will follow up by phone.
On condominium assessment policy, McKeown said he had drafted proposed local legislation to pursue home rule so condos could be valued at market value rather than the county's current income-based approach. He said he had consulted local assessors and noted a prior veto in 2022 or 2023. Committee members asked about opt-out provisions and how the town of Greenberg had pursued similar authority; McKeown said a county-level home-rule approach would give municipalities the option rather than impose a blanket county policy.
The committee received these reports and did not take additional formal action on the condo valuation draft at the July 22 meeting. Supervisor Niles moved to adjourn; Supervisor Strainer seconded and the meeting adjourned.
