By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Barton County is already preparing for the 2022 tax sale in October. There were 158 notices sent to owners in the county letting them know they are behind on property taxes.
County Counselor Patrick Hoffman said that number will get
down to around 50 by the time the tax sale arrives as more owners pay off what
they owe. Usually, the properties that make it to the sale are houses the owner
is not interested in keeping.
"The property might be in disrepair," said Hoffman. "Sometimes the owner passed away and there is disputed ownership. It is generally not people that want to keep the property and don't have the money. It's usually properties that have some sort of unusual issue with ownership."
Commercial properties are listed on the tax sale if they become two years
behind on property taxes. Residential houses become part of the sale if they
are three years behind on taxes.
"There are always a few properties that sell for more than what is the county's money," said Hoffman. "We get paid in full and then the court holds the excess. Then the court will notify anyone that might have an interest. We don't just give it to a lienholder. A lienholder or owner can come dispute who gets the money."
The 2022 Barton County tax sale is scheduled for Oct. 11 at the
Great Bend Events Center. Landowners have until Oct. 7 to pay
off their back taxes.