July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

County tax sale complete

Jay County Commissioners

A total of 62 tax certificates were sold in a recently online tax sale, bringing in more than $70,000 to the county.

Joe Edwards of SRI Inc. reported to the Jay County Commissioners that the county made $70,209 during the tax sale, in which 79 properties owing back taxes were listed. Sixteen properties received no bids and one was removed because a structure on the property burned down during the sale.

"If we had an auction in this room, we probably would have got one third or less," said Joe Edwards of SRI, which hosted the online sale.

Winning bidders received a tax certificate and can undergo an expedited process to obtain a deed. After 120 days, the certificate-holder can take title to the property. The original property owner may still pay the back taxes and maintain ownership within that 120-day window.

The county keeps any money made from the auction even if a deed is never obtained. If the process is not completed, the properties will remain in the county's ownership and can be listed again at a later time.

"If they don't go to deed, then they'll be back on the tax sale in October and the county keeps the money," Edwards said.

The commissioners discussed their options for the 16 properties that did not sell. Edwards said the commissioners could take sealed bids or hold another auction to try to move those properties.

The commissioners discussed whether adjacent property owners might want to pick up the extra land at minimal prices or whether they could convey the certificates to the towns in which the properties are located.

Of the unsold properties, 12 are located in Dunkirk and the remaining four are in Redkey and Pennville. All of the listings in Portland sold during the auction.

The commissioners said they will explore options to move those remaining 16 properties and will wait to see how many of the 62 sold will return to the county's tax rolls.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Made Jay County prosecutor Bob Clamme purchasing agent to buy a scanner and laptop at a cost of $1,590 and $1,659, respectively. The purchases are being made out of 4-D child support funds from the state.

•Signed paperwork for a proposal for paving projects in the county under the federal jobs bill presented by county engineer Dan Watson. The county received funding for four paving projects through the 2009 federal stimulus package.

•Signed paperwork concerning bridge inspection. The state will reimburse the county 80 percent of the cost of annual bridge inspections.

•Signed the Indiana State Board of Accounts annual report for the Jay County Highway Department.

•Were informed by Watson that Pike Township farmer Bob Lyons had asked about expanding rights-of-way on some roads in southern Jay County by 10 feet due for the prospective wind farm project in that area.

The commissioners said if all property owners would sign a petition to give up the extra land for extended right-of-ways, that they would have no issue with expanding it in the future.

The commissioners, however, said it's likely too early to go out soliciting signatures before any final plans on the wind project are released and before they know which roads might benefit from the expansion.[[In-content Ad]]
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