Michigan County Treasurer Overruled In Refusal To Give City Right To Buy Tax-Foreclosed Lots At Cost
April 8th, 2011
Richard F. Brzezinski wanted to get as much money out of each property tax foreclosure in his county as possible. Unfortunately, this brought him directly up against the his own city government and the Bay County treasurer has been overruled and ordered to sell tax-foreclosed property to the City of Bay City at cost rather than take the properties to auction to garner more money for the local government[1]. Brzezinski argued that the city could not be using the land to generate tax revenue and, therefore, should have to buy the properties it wanted at auction like any other investor. However, a state Court of Appeals has ruled differently, stating that a simple desire to put the land to “public use” is sufficient to require the sale prior to the auction. The city has not stated what it plans to do with the properties, which it is essentially buying at a steep discount since tax auction prices tend to go over just the cost of the fees on the property.
In this case, the law seems pretty clear that if the city wants the land, it is going to get it. Do you think that local governments should have “first crack” at tax-foreclosure properties or does this open up the entire process to corruption?
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[1] http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2011/04/appeals_court_says_bay_county.html
April 8th, 2011 at 10:32 AM
In approximately eight states the counties actually take title to the properties and then resale the property at whatever value they can get(fair market value? Maybe.).Wisconsin is such a state.
April 8th, 2011 at 10:47 AM
It is interesting how government always gives itself the benefit of the doubt; in this case, judges, when it is plain that most of our problems come as a result of government interference and then government “fixes” which only serve to make things worse.
Government is the biggest thief in all history, as they can and do legally steal. There is no doubt that some “taken” lands will go to a good purpose, but there is also no doubt that some “taken” lands will go to “preferred” investors. Bribery was invented by politicians who want to be paid for their influence.
Political bribery and payoffs happen on a continual basis, just as sure as the sun rises and sets. Anything that helps it along, like this judicial decision, is wrong headed and will do harm, which government will then try to “fix.”
April 8th, 2011 at 11:18 AM
This just screams corruption! Does the county tax its own land and pay taxes to itself? If these are single family homes, is the county getting into the rental or home sales business? Are they going to fix and flip? If this is commercial are they going to occupy the space or be come landlords? If this is raw land are they going to build on it? Buy and hold?
April 8th, 2011 at 1:33 PM
I think that, again the @#!$*&% government does what it wants despite what anyone say,does . They SHOULD be subject to same rules as the rest of us.
April 9th, 2011 at 7:38 AM
It’s amazing at how so many States across this country, participate in what I consider one of the greatest frauds in our history. So many different aspects to the proof of this claim. This has only been another way our govt. be it local State or Federal that has Grossly taken advantage of it’s citizen’s in an unbelievably Great way!
April 9th, 2011 at 11:05 AM
That is absolutely unfair. I agree with everyone else. Why should the government get first crack at it?