Committee to consider online auction after successful surplus-property sales

Finance department staff told the Real Estate Committee on Aug. 28 that an earlier auction of surplus properties was "very successful" and that several of the properties returned to the tax rolls.

"we did have a very successful auction um in that we did have some properties that actually went off um all went back on to actual um tax rolls. Um and so that will help us um to continue to receive those taxes in the years to come," Finance department staff said. Staff said remaining properties were returned to the city's inventory and are eligible for private bids but that the department is preparing particulars and recommendations for pursuing an online auction and will present those at the next committee meeting. The proposed online auction would be intended to broaden outreach to potential buyers and expedite return of city-owned, non-municipal properties to private ownership.

Committee members did not take a formal vote on the auction approach at the Aug. 28 meeting; staff characterized the session as an informational update and said a future meeting will include specific recommendations, timelines and any recommended sale terms.