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County agrees to sell tax forfeited farm site

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher, Monitor-News

When land or property, or both, are forfeited to Swift County for non-payment of real estate taxes, there is a process required for getting the property back on the tax role or used for a public purpose.

The first step involves offering the property to the local government in the county in which it sits, whether that is a city or a township. When they don’t want the property, it goes up for auction at a tax-forfeiture sale. The public auction gives any interested buyer an equal opportunity to bid on the property.

Despite the often bargain prices these properties can be purchased for, they come with some burdens that can make them less attractive. First, the buyer must pay any back taxes due on the property. Also, there may be dilapidated structures on the site that may require demolition, removal, and site restoration.

If the property doesn’t sell at auction, then Swift County Assessor Joe Tschida can set a value on it for sale with the county board of commissioners who then vote on whether to approve it. One such property was before the county board at its meeting Feb. 21.

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