County approves next step for tax sale
Staff reporter
Preparations are being made for a county tax sale.
Sixty-eight letters were sent April 1 by county attorney Susan Robson to property owners who were delinquent in paying property taxes. As a result of the letters, 29 paid the back taxes, leaving 39 unpaid for a total of $52,576 in back taxes.
County treasurer Jeannine Bateman made the report Monday to Marion County Commission.
Commissioner Randy Dallke asked Bateman the cost for processing the properties for a tax sale. Bateman responded the county never comes out ahead.
She explained the goal was to get the property in the hands of owners who will pay taxes.
In 2001, titles searches conducted by Hannaford Abstract & Title Company, cost the county $85 per completed search, $60 for partial searches, and $10 for bankruptcy cases, for a total of $13,980.
In 2003, the cost had increased to $150 per completed search for a total of $3,300.
If the cost remains at $150 per search, it was determined the total cost would be $5,850 for 39 searches.
Dallke suggested a minimum bid include title insurance. Previously the minimum bid was $50.
In other business:
— The commission discussed the possibility of participating with Harvey County in incinerating county solid waste instead of hauling it to a landfill near Topeka.
Commissioner Dan Holub made the suggestion to David Brazil, county sanitarian and solid waste manager.
Harvey County is considering the operation of a incinerator.
McPherson County is looking at landfill options. Brazil said ideally the region could have both facilities.
Brazil was instructed to make contact with Harvey County to express interest in participating.
— County resident Arlene Stika appeared before the commission with a grievance regarding the sheriff's department.
She stated sheriff Lee Becker and two individuals picked up her cattle because they were out of their pen. As a result, she had to pay $175 to have them returned. She requested an itemized statement for the costs but did not receive one.
Dallke asked Becker for a report which will be presented at the next commission meeting.
— Shawn Brandhmal and Richard Comfort of Central Kansas Juvenile Detention Facility presented an annual report.
Marion County uses the facility with other counties in detaining juveniles arrested for crimes.
In order for the facility to continue to operate, Marion and other counties prepay for services. Marion County pays $6,912. If more funds are required to cover services for Marion County youth, the county pays the extra amount. If less funds are required than pre-paid, the county loses that amount.
Brandhmal explained the annual amount was 30 percent less than a five-year average.
