Log in Subscribe

County tax auction postponed

Isabel Braverman and Matt Shortall
Posted 6/14/18

MONTICELLO — In a moment of relief for two Sullivan County residents, Legislators unanimously agreed last week to reschedule the county's 2018 Real Estate Tax Foreclosure Auction to August 29, …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

County tax auction postponed

Posted

MONTICELLO — In a moment of relief for two Sullivan County residents, Legislators unanimously agreed last week to reschedule the county's 2018 Real Estate Tax Foreclosure Auction to August 29, 2018. The deadline for repurchasing foreclosed properties has been extended to July 31.

There were two last-minute pleas from residents during the legislature's committee meetings to repurchase their properties. This led the Legislators to decide that the auction, typically held in June every year, should be postponed to allow further time for repurchases.

Edwin Price has lived in the same house for 56 years. He and his wife Gale are a part of the community in the Town of Thompson and feared they would lose their home. An issue with their taxes has led the county to put their home up for auction.

The Price's property taxes were late this year because they could not afford them. Edwin and his wife are disabled and it's not easy for them to get around. Edwin has the autoimmune disease Lupus and his medical costs are high; one medication alone is $700 per month.

Edwin said his taxes were $7,400 originally, but because he was late in payment, late penalties and legal fines were added and now the total is almost $13,000. He was eventually able to come up with the full amount.

Armand Alvarez is a single father in the Town of Highland who fell behind on taxes due to a family related emergency. The parcel up for auction threatened to cut off access to his house.

“We requested the county exercise its discretion in allowing a private sale to Mr. Alvarez,” said Jacob Billig, attorney for Alvarez. Billig said he was surprised when the county adjourned the entire auction, but was grateful his client would be able to repurchase his property.

“People fall on hard times, and we as a Legislature understand that,” Chairman Luis Alvarez stated. “We don't want to unduly burden taxpayers, though there is a process they need to follow.”

That process is stipulated by law, noted County Treasurer Nancy Buck.

“For over 17 years, I've strictly adhered to NYS Real Property Tax Law and Sullivan County local law,” she explained. “I don't pick and choose, but I do want to help.”

Buck said those seeking to take advantage of the extension to repurchase foreclosed properties need to contact her office as soon as possible at 845-807-0200 or in person at the Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello.

“This is the right thing to do for the residents of Sullivan County. We needed to give the public an additional option,” said Vice Chair Nadia Rajsz of the Legislature's 8-0 decision. (Legislator Scott Samuelson was at a NYS Association of Counties Board meeting and was unable to attend.)

“As a Legislature, our first priority is to represent the interests of the public, and I felt very strongly in this case that could only be served by allowing people to stay in their homes,” explained District 9 Legislator and Majority Leader Alan Sorensen. “Sometimes you have to revisit your policies and do the right thing, which we did. I feel good about it.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here