HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Finance February 13 19962
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING/
WORK SESSION
February 13, 1996
The meeting was called to order at 9:08 a.m, by Committee Chair Robert Imhof in
the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Tom Brown
Absent:
None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF COUNTY -OWNED
PROPERTY, REQUEST #95- 1- (AB95 -503A)
18 Barbara Cory, Treasurer, stated the question of how the County should determine
19 the sale price depends on the goal. Her initial goal was to try to get as many properties on
20 the tax rolls as possible. This leads to a tendency to set a lower sale price than what the
21 property is worth. The problem is that these properties must go to public auction. A
22 proper minimum bid must be decided upon to attract people to bid on these properties.
23 However, the statute requirements of the bidding process are time consuming.
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25 The surrounding property owners are notified of the upcoming bidding, as these
26 people are felt to be the most likely to bid at foreclosure sales. However, foreclosure sales
27 are a different matter than this item being discussed.
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29 She noted that the problem with using the assessed value is that the accuracy of the
30 figure is in question because it is only appraised every four years. There can be quite a
31 change in marketing. In order to attract bidders, 75% of the assessed value was previously
32 used as the sale price. Discussion followed. The committee decided by consensus to
33 recommend no minimum bid; the market price would then be whatever bid is offered.
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35 Cory stated there are different types of property, including tax title, foreclosure,
36 County- owned, acquired and negotiated. If property is non - buildable, the public auction
37 process is not needed. So, another issue is how to determine what is buildable and non-
38 buildable property. Non - buildable property does not come under the bidding process.
39 The property list was discussed briefly.
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Special Finance Minutes, 2/13/96, Page 1
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Suggestions discussed included: mineral rights should go with a property instead of
being kept on the rolls; send letters to all realtors regarding raw land (with a 10%
commission); stuff The Herald with biannual property list insert if funds are available;
realtors negotiate in sales (place in RFQ and open to all through the MIS); and assessor to
give realtors a biyearly list (flag those properties available).
Parks' property was also discussed, as there are a number of people wanting to give
property, some of which is not useful for a park. Also discussed was surplus property. It
was recommended to review these properties after five years and use the aggressive
marketing approach.
According to RCW 84.64.320, sales must be negotiated within six months after a
public auction for buildable property. If there is no bidding, then the property returns to
the County for another auction. This process is expensive and must be done according to
statute.
Dawson wanted to keep certain lands off the tax roll that might affect certain
watersheds. Discussion followed.
Joe Burton, realtor, commented on a question regarding the multiple listing service
(MLS).
• 1 Jam►
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 a.m.
Al -1 hJ 1:
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
`- Dana- Bro'yn -Davis Nun&RIC -lerk" RoSert Imhof, Council
Special Finance Minutes, 2/13/96, Page 2