Committee advances ordinance changing tax-lien sale timetable to county board

The Adams County Admin & Finance Committee voted May 8 to forward ordinance O06-025 to the county board. The ordinance removes a mandated automatic 10% price-drop schedule on reposted tax-lien sales and instead gives the treasurer discretion to set discounts and limit repostings, with any sale below assessed fair market value subject to committee approval.

Corp Counsel (transcript label) told the committee the prior practice—posting properties repeatedly with automatic 10% discounts—had allowed bidders to withhold offers until later rounds. To address that gaming, the proposed ordinance would allow the treasurer to post a property, repost once and then, on a third try, accept the highest bid even if it is substantially below assessed value. The counsel said any acceptance of a bid below assessed value must be sent to the administration and the committee for approval, noting statutory requirements derived from recent court decisions.

A committee member asked why the county would care about fair market value when proceeds only cover amounts owed; counsel referenced a U.S. Supreme Court-related decision (arising from Hennepin County) and subsequent state-legislative responses requiring a genuine effort to sell at fair market value. Counsel said the county plans to use assessed values (which differ from taxable fair-market valuations) in order to comply with statutes.

The chair called for a vote and the committee approved forwarding the ordinance to the county board. The transcript records a voice vote; no roll-call tally was provided.