1998-10-26 Regular Meeting of City Council

Browse Search

'EQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGEN'ITEM AGENDA DATE October 26. 1998 REQUESTED BY Cvnthia Alexander. Asst Finance Director _ REPORT; XX RESOLUTION; _ ORDINANCE; Over the past nine months, staff has been working diligently to resale certain properties obtained in December 1997 in a delinquent tax lawsuit. The importance of these properties is that they have people living in them. After general solicitation, including advertising in the Bayshore Sun, we received offers from two individuals. The highest offer was from Mr. Joe Booker, who placed an offer of $7,700 per property. The parcels he is bidding on are located at the following addresses: 622 N. First 618 N. First 529 N. Third 525 N. Third 517 N. Third The total amounts due all three taxing entities on these properties is $71,500. Mr. Booker has bid a total of $38,500 on the properties. This represents a bid of about 53 cents on the dollar. Mr. Booker has indicated his intent to allow the current tenants to remain in the properties at rental rates similar to those they were previously paying. One of the areas of major discussion at past Audit Committee meetings is the physical status of the houses. While we are not able to make Mr. Booker meet certain standards, he has indicated his plan for the properties, which does include bringing several deficiencies into compliance with general codes. Mr. Booker has properties in other areas of the state and we have checked his references. In order for Mr. Booker to obtain these properties, all three taxing entities have to agree to resale the properties at the discounted price. The School District approved the sale at their October 13, 1998 meeting and the item should be on a future Commissioner's Court. Staff met with the Audit Committee on October 19, 1998 and received a favorable response towards the resale of the properties. Staff recommends the resale be made to Mr. Booker in order to allow the properties to be placed back on the tax roll and in the hands of a productive taxpayer. ACTION REQUIRED !BY COUNCIL: Approve resolution al.llthorizing the resale of the tax properties to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Booker. FUND N/A ACCT NUM: FUNDS AVAILABLE: ~J% DI( E