1. Sale-tax forfeited lots appraised

CASSCOUNlY GOVERNMENT -'-- Auditor Michael Montplaisir, CPA 701,241,5601 Treasurer Charlotte Sandvik 701,241,5611 Director of Equalization Frank Klein 701,241,5616 Box 2806 211 Ninth Street South Fargo, North Dakota 58103 Fax 701,241,5728 www.casscountynd.gov October 10, 2008 REceIVED OCT 1 0 2008 Board of County Commissioners Cass County Government 211 9th Street South Fargo ND 58103 CASS COUNTY COMMISSION RE: Appraisal of Forfeited Property Dear Commissioners: Annually, the commission is charged with setting the minimum sales price for properties forfeited to the county for non-payment of taxes. This list shows properties as of October 9th with 2003 taxes still owing and tax deeds have been recorded transferring ownership to the county. These properties may still be paid by former owners; however, all five years of taxes, plus interest, penalty, and other costs must be paid. The list shows a preliminary minimum sales price, which covers the five years of taxes, costs against the property, and an estimate for 2008 taxes. Tax Director Frank Klein will review the properties to determine if they are worth substantially more or less than the figure shown, and he will have a recommendation prepared on the meeting date if there are any changes. I have also forwarded my recommendation to the City of Fargo for their review. The list includes two properties in Kindred-one foreclosed on this year and another small piece foreclosed on several years ago. I suggest the two parcels be combined for sale purposes. Also, a parcel in Addison Township has been owned by the county for a number of years, but has not been offered for sale until this year. The lots in Chaffee Village of Walburg Township were foreclosed on last year. The county cleaned up the lots and is now offering to sell them. We have about $13,000 into these lots, but their value in Chaffee Village is much lower. Two additional tax-forfeited lots are not on the proposed sale list. One is located in Argusville, which the school district had sold previously-this property has been deeded to the Northern Cass School District. The other is in Warren Township that was foreclosed, cleaned up, sold, and now foreclosed again-due to size of the parcel and the location being close to a county highway, I recommend the county does not re-sell this property. A lot in Erie Village of Erie Township is on the sale list, but I recommend we remove it from the list. The parcel has an old house on it which has been abandoned. A group of local citizens has agreed to clean up the lot, if the county holds off on selling the lot for one year. This is a good solution for everyone-the township is rid of a house that is a detriment to their community and the county ends up with a salable lot for next year.