Orange County is trying to get some properties back on the tax rolls. The county held a sale of over 30 properties last month that were taken possession of for delinquent taxes. Tax Assessor-Collector Lynda Gunstream is working to facilitate the process of getting these trust properties back to paying taxes.
She is trying to make it possible to have a quicker turnaround for trust properties with a resolution to different tax entities in the county. The resolution would allow properties when sold to only need the Commissioners Court to approve the bid for a sale. Gunstream points out many of these trust properties sit vacant with vandals and thieves damaging the property with no taxes being paid on them.
Gunstream is meeting with city councils, school boards, and other taxing entities in an effort to get approval for the resolution which will eliminate some of the red tape in getting the properties back on the tax rolls. Currently, Gunstream needs to meet with each tax entity to approve a trust property sale bid in their jurisdiction. The resolution she is recommending will eliminate some of the time involved since many entities only meet once a month.
The City of Bridge City was the latest entity to approve the resolution bringing to six those that have approved it. When all the tax entities have approved the resolution Gunstream can process the sale, get the deed to the purchaser, and put the property back on the tax roll in a much quicker manner than is currently done.
Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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