Secretary Hosemann promotes Sale of Tax Forfeited Lands in Greenville

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 13, 2013
Contact: Pamela Weaver, Director of Communications

Secretary Hosemann promotes Sale of Tax Forfeited Lands in Greenville

Greenville, MS—Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and Greenville Mayor John Cox hope the second round of tax forfeited land sales in Greenville will be just as successful as the first. In a joint press conference, Secretary Hosemann and Mayor Cox announced the public sale of another ninety-four (94) parcels of tax forfeited land, valued at $210,000.

“I would like to commend the City of Greenville for their aggressive marketing of these tax forfeited properties,” says Secretary Hosemann. “Tax forfeited properties are a drain on the community, the State, and your local tax rolls.”

“I am very pleased that the City of Greenville is working with the Secretary of State’s Office to clean up our community,” says Mayor Cox. “The best thing we can do is take the tax forfeited properties and return them to productive use. There are an unlimited number of reasons why people might bid on a property: neighbors can purchase a lot to expand their backyard, someone could purchase a lot and build a house on it, or even start a business with their new property. By auctioning the property for private ownership, the City of Greenville can spend more money fixing our streets and sewers instead of cutting grass. This is the second year we are holding an auction of tax forfeited property and we will continue this program as we work to beautify Greenville.”

Currently, the Secretary of State’s Office holds over $66.2-Million worth of property forfeited to the State for non-payment of ad valorem taxes. Over $4.3-Million of tax forfeited property is located in Washington County.

In 2012, the City of Greenville and the Secretary of State’s office held the first public auction of tax forfeited lands in the area. Fifty-two (52) properties sold for approximately $34,667.

“We have been working with other cities to market the sale of our tax forfeited lands, which has become a growing program in our State,” adds Hosemann. “Our goal is to work with local governments, as we have in Greenville, to determine which properties may be marketed for private ownership, and which properties may be transferred to local governments for public use.”

To learn more on obtaining tax forfeited properties, please visit the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.sos.ms.gov/page.aspx?s=8&s1=1&s2=5.