DeKalb County will soon have between 75-100 parcels of property for sale as tax-delinquent properties, most likely in November.

During October’s meeting last week, the county commission voted to sell the properties under sealed bid to the public. The properties for sale will be advertised in the newspaper prior to the sale date. 

The commission discussed whether the properties would be sold with the existing tax encumbrance intact or free and clear to the buyers, and the matter was resolved after Commissioner Joe Johnson made a motion to sell them free and clear which was seconded and passed.

According to DeKalb County Mayor Tim Stribling, the properties are more likely to be sold if the buyers do not have to worry about having to pay back taxes on their purchase. By selling the parcels through sealed bid, it will allow more people to bid without having to be present, which a live auction would require.

The last time there was this type of property sale by the county was in 2009. 

By selling the property, the county can then start to earn tax revenue from the new owners instead of the property languishing.

Mayor Stribling reported that most of the properties are in the Lakeview Mountain Estates, Holiday Haven, Four Star Point areas.