By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Two years of preparation have led up to the Barton County tax sale on Oct. 11. The sale is typically held annually on properties with delinquent taxes after three years, but COVID-19 shut down the sale last year. County treasurer Jim Jordan said the final quarter of the year is always the busiest for his office, and this year is no exception.
"October to January is the worst time of the year in the treasurer's office," he said. "We have the tax sale, we have taxes we are sending out, we're collecting taxes and have to them all collected and put in by the 31st. It's a tough time over there."
Jordan's office sent tax delinquent notices for 172 homes or businesses this year. So far, 82 of those properties have been resolved with payment in full or payment plans. The tax sale list typically has closer to 50 properties by the time the actual sale rolls around, but the number is almost double this year because there was no sale last year. There are a wide variety of properties in each sale.
"Some are just lots, there are some with houses on them, there are some with trailer houses on them, there are some with a lot of junk on them," Jordan said.
Properties with delinquent taxes can still be redeemed. Payment plans are easier to set up earlier in the process, but with the sale date looming, the treasurer's office requires a little more commitment.
"When people come in at the end of the time to get them redeemed, they're usually writing you a check and, after the tax sale is done you figure out that check is no good," Jordan said. "They're safe for another year on their house in the tax sale. I've made it to the point where now you have to come in with 50 percent down and a cashier's check or cash to redeem your property."
A list of properties for sale is now available at bartoncounty.org. This year's tax sale is set for Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Events Center in Great Bend. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir will double as the auctioneer. Anyone interested in purchasing property off the tax list should bring identification for preregistration prior to the sale.