Members of the Vermilion County Board have agreed to proceed with the sale of some land that was involved in the county’s delinquent tax auction. But some board members are still concerned about what will happen with the property. Board member Nancy O’Kane notes the goal is to get new owners who will pay their taxes on time…
{AUDIO: ‘’But that’s not what’s happening. What’s happening are people from out of state are buying these properties – sight unseen. And they realize what they’ve purchased and so they stop paying the taxes on them. And the whole three-year cycle starts over again.’’}
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy told board members Tuesday evening that they have a duty to act on what the legislature put into place regarding such properties. But O’Kane had hoped the board would take a stand and refuse to sell the property until more information is known about what happen with the land…
{AUDIO: ‘’I realize that this is bigger than the County Board. This is the Legislature – I get that. The House, the Senate. And I’ve talked to (State Representative) Mike Marron about it. But I thought if as a board we made a statement…I was hoping that if we made a statement that maybe the legislature would look at it.’’}
County Board Chairman Larry Baughn says the county had to follow state guidelines in order to get money back to taxing bodies…
{AUDIO: ‘’We’re obligated by statute to sell it, to get it back on the rolls. To get those obligations paid to those entities. And I agree with Miss O’Kane, some things need to change in that. But, sadly enough, the change isn’t made in this room. It’s made over in the capitol city.’’}
(County Board Chairman Larry Baughn.)
The County Board did set one parcel aside in order to seek more information before selling it. But Board member Marla Mackiewicz questioned whether the Board could legally ask someone what they intend to do with their property. Another Board member, Joel Bird, noted that once it’s sold the county has no ordinances or statutes regarding what they do with the land.
