Neighbor seeks to buy wooded parcel in Navarro County; court orders appraisal to begin surplus-sale process

A resident asked the court to sell a half-acre parcel in Navarro County that adjoins her property, and the Commissioners Court voted to start the statutory surplus and sale process by ordering a certified appraisal.

Lisa Tynes told the court she and her husband already own adjacent lots and would like the county-owned half-acre to remain wooded. County counsel explained the parcel was acquired following a criminal case and that there may be a lien against it; counsel advised the court to follow statutory steps to sell county property acquired in a judgment, which include obtaining a certified appraisal and declaring the property surplus under the local government code. "We would have to sell it by statutory means under ... the Local Government Code," counsel said.

The court authorized staff to obtain an appraisal so the court can later determine a sale method (sealed bids or auction) and confirm whether the property must remain for public use. Staff said the property was on the tax rolls with a small tax balance and that a lien check was in progress.