After a five-year absence, Allen County will have its first delinquent property tax sale this spring.
County Counselor Bob Johnson gave commissioners an update Tuesday on plans for the sale, which he expects to take place in late March or April. Properties with egregious delinquent taxes will be auctioned.
“Money from the sale goes toward taxes, but generally the slate is wiped clean and you get a new owner who is going to pay taxes,” Johnson told commissioners.
The county typically has a delinquent property tax sale about every year or two, but the pandemic delayed the process, Johnson said.
The list of delinquent properties began with about 300 properties, but most owners, since notified of the past-due taxes, have settled the accounts, amounting to about $600,000. Johnson expects the collected total will be closer to $1 million.
About 88 properties remain on the delinquent sale list.
Typically, Sheriff Bryan Murphy conducts the auction.
Anyone who has received a notice and has questions or wants to pay the past-due taxes should call Johnson’s office at 620-365-3778 or the county treasurer’s office at 620-365-1409.
TERRY CALL, who retired last year, has returned to work for the county on a part-time basis to handle planning and zoning activities.
He wanted to remind residents and contractors that Allen County is zoned, and building and septic permits are required for certain types of construction activities.
The application is simple and free, he said. It’s available at the appraiser’s office or online at allencounty.org.
Call said he returned to service because the county has seen an increase in building activity without the owners obtaining the proper permits.
Anyone with questions should call him at 620-365-1432.
SHERIFF Murphy asked commissioners to set aside revenue from housing out-of-county prisoners to create a fund for future jail repairs.
The county made its final payment on the jail this month. The jail was built in 2004 for $2.9 million, using revenue bonds that were paid for by housing prisoners.
With that money no longer needed to pay the bonds, Murphy wants it used to maintain the jail. For example, a new roof is needed.
