Elbert County public trustee reports uptick in foreclosures, transfers excess funds

Sherry Hewlett, Elbert County treasurer and public trustee, told commissioners July 22 she is seeing an uptick in new foreclosures this year compared with the recent past.

Hewlett said that, "from 2025 second quarter to 2026 second quarter, we had 10 new foreclosures come through," and added, "as I stand before you this morning, we're up 19." She reviewed sales, deeded transactions and withdrawals noted in her report and said the public trustee's excess funds will cover salaries and fees; she said she will transfer $18,008.37 to the public trustee fund and that excess funds are transferred to the general fund at the end of the fourth quarter. Commissioners moved and approved the public trustee report by voice vote.

Commissioners asked whether the current pattern resembled past cycles; Hewlett recalled the county's largest foreclosure years were 2008–2009 when foreclosures were far higher and said she did not expect a similar spike now. Hewlett encouraged property owners facing foreclosure to contact her office for options and assistance. The board approved the report and the required advertising for the six-month financial report later in the meeting.