July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
County weighs property options
Jay County Commissioners
Jay County Commissioners discussed some options regarding nine unsold properties from the most recent county tax certificate sale, pondering partnerships with Dunkirk and Redkey.
Nine properties — seven in Dunkirk and two in Redkey — did not sell at the most recent tax sale, so the commissioners are now trying to figure out what they can do to get the properties back on the tax rolls.
This morning’s discussion explored possible partnerships with the City of Dunkirk and Town of Redkey to pay for demolition and title search costs, with the intent of giving ownership to the municipalities or seeking to offer the properties to adjacent landowners or others.
“I know the city does have limited funds,” attorney Bill Hinkle said of Dunkirk’s ability to demolish rundown structures or assist in title searching.
The situation, however, would require some maneuvering, since demolition costs can run in the thousands and title searches run around $500. The commissioners have been looking for a way to ensure that if money is put forward to take ownership of the properties, that they will quickly move out of the county’s hands.
For example, the county wants to avoid a situation like its ownership of a dilapidated former bar in Dunkirk that the commissioners have not been able to sell due to its poor condition.
“Couldn’t we enter into an agreement with (the towns)?” commissioner Jim Zimmerman asked, suggesting that the parties set terms so that the county and particular town/city work and spend together toward getting the property back on the tax rolls.
Zimmerman suggested, as an example to “Let us go through the title work and have them do the razing.”
County engineer Dan Watson is performing assessments of the properties to check for any environmental concerns.
Hinkle suggested that the commissioners speak with town and city officials soon to discuss options, including the possible use of economic development income tax (EDIT) funds by the municipalities for costs related to the property acquisitions.[[In-content Ad]]
Nine properties — seven in Dunkirk and two in Redkey — did not sell at the most recent tax sale, so the commissioners are now trying to figure out what they can do to get the properties back on the tax rolls.
This morning’s discussion explored possible partnerships with the City of Dunkirk and Town of Redkey to pay for demolition and title search costs, with the intent of giving ownership to the municipalities or seeking to offer the properties to adjacent landowners or others.
“I know the city does have limited funds,” attorney Bill Hinkle said of Dunkirk’s ability to demolish rundown structures or assist in title searching.
The situation, however, would require some maneuvering, since demolition costs can run in the thousands and title searches run around $500. The commissioners have been looking for a way to ensure that if money is put forward to take ownership of the properties, that they will quickly move out of the county’s hands.
For example, the county wants to avoid a situation like its ownership of a dilapidated former bar in Dunkirk that the commissioners have not been able to sell due to its poor condition.
“Couldn’t we enter into an agreement with (the towns)?” commissioner Jim Zimmerman asked, suggesting that the parties set terms so that the county and particular town/city work and spend together toward getting the property back on the tax rolls.
Zimmerman suggested, as an example to “Let us go through the title work and have them do the razing.”
County engineer Dan Watson is performing assessments of the properties to check for any environmental concerns.
Hinkle suggested that the commissioners speak with town and city officials soon to discuss options, including the possible use of economic development income tax (EDIT) funds by the municipalities for costs related to the property acquisitions.[[In-content Ad]]
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