Commissioners allow homeowner to remain in Neighborhood Revitalization program after escrow mix-up

Daniel Owen told county commissioners he learned only after a county call that his property taxes were delinquent; he said he had received two courtesy statements showing a $0 balance because Welch State Bank had paid prior years from escrow and had not notified the county when the loan was paid off.

"I received 2 letters in the mail, both of which showed that I owed $0 in taxes," Owen said. He said he paid the tax bill and a $333 fee a few hours after being notified.

Nancy (county staff) said the bank had paid the 2022 and 2023 tax years from escrow, and the 2024 statement had been sent to Welch State Bank. She said Welch State Bank informed county staff that Owen paid off his loan in February 2024 and that the county was not notified to switch the parcel to self-pay status. "So as soon as I realized what was going on, I called Daniel, and he was right up here, paid the taxes in full, and even paid the penalty, and even paid the interest," Nancy said.

Owen had applied to restart participation in the Neighborhood Revitalization program after a house fire and said he believed he was still eligible. Commissioners discussed precedent and whether delinquency should disqualify a participant; one commissioner said past cases involved willful delinquencies, while Owen's issue stemmed from a miscommunication with an escrow agent.

After discussion, commissioners directed staff to note that Owen may continue in the program and that the county was not notified by the mortgage company when the escrow agent changed. A commissioner said, "I would prefer just to have it noted that he's okay to continue, and that the situation was that the mortgage company was paying and that he paid off his mortgage and, you know, unfortunately, we were not made aware. Right. So no fault of his own." Amy (clerk or staff) was asked to record the note.

Commissioners did not take a formal recorded vote on the matter during the meeting; staff documented the taxpayer paid taxes and penalty and said the county would allow him to finish the remaining years under his original Neighborhood Revitalization participation.