Commission reverses online tax‑sale after bidders say listing misled them about undivided interest

The Utah County Commission voted 3–0 Sept. 14 to grant a protest and reverse a May 26 online tax sale in Springville after bidders and county staff said participants were mistaken about the sale’s terms.

Tax administration staff said the county’s first online undivided‑interest auction included properties sold as a percentage (an undivided interest) rather than full title. Ryan Goodrich, representing the winning bidders, told the commission his clients believed they were bidding on full ownership after seeing a delinquency figure on the assessor’s site and bid accordingly. Goodrich said the assessor’s record showed a delinquency of $162,980.65 for 2017, which led bidders to expect full recovery of taxes rather than a small percentage share.

County staff and the auditor explained the fee posting timeline and the format change for online auctions contributed to the confusion; staff recommended reversing the sale and clarified that when the sale is reversed the bid amount and proceeds are refunded and prior parties (including secured creditors) remain in their previous status. The auditor recommended improving the auction posting to better describe an "undivided interest" to prevent future errors.

The commission approved the protest and reversal by motion, 3–0. Staff said they will revise online auction language and procedures to make undivided interest options clearer to bidders.