County Getting Up To Date On Foreclosure Properties

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - The Delaware County Finance Committee reviewed plans to bring the foreclosure process up to date after delays caused by the global pandemic. In the past, the county has handled the foreclosure process for towns and villages, usually holding an annual auction on the second Saturday in July. However, renters and homeowners were federally protected from eviction and foreclosure during the pandemic. With auctions postponed for three years and limited staff, the county has foreclosures to process dating back to 2019.

Treasurer Beverly Shields presented plans to get back on track at the regular finance committee meeting on Aug. 12. For an auction to take place in June or July of 2026, a 90-day warning letter will need to be sent to tax delinquents no later than Oct. 1, she said. This auction would include parcels from 2019 and 2020, totaling 278 properties. In December, a second 30-day warning letter would be sent. Property owners have until the paperwork is filed with the court to enter into an installment plan with the county. If installment payments are missed, the property will again be placed on the foreclosure list. Owners only get one chance to fulfill the installment agreement.

If all goes well, Shields said an auction could be scheduled for June 1, 2026. The department has already begun searching for 2021 foreclosure properties.

The Delaware County Association of Mayors is expected to attend the next regular finance committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. Mayors will once again request that the county share sales tax revenue with towns and villages. The mayors of the 14 villages approached the finance committee, requesting 12% of the sales tax revenue for August 2024. Of that 12% villages would split 60% and towns the other 40%, they suggest. The shared tax is intended to offset village budgets, potentially avoiding higher tax increases. Delaware County raked in roughly $31 million in sales tax revenue in 2024.

The finance committee denied adding a shared sales tax to the 2025 budget, opting instead to further review the request. Budget Director Art Merrill said the committee is open to finding solutions to support the villages. Though he has noted in the past that, philosophically, he believes in disseminating through taxes. By using funds at the county level, every individual is affected equally, he explained.