Central School properties to be sold by auction

Two other tax-forfeited properties will also be for sale by auction on Aug. 24

The two properties on which Central School once sat and two other tax-forfeited properties — one in Hatfield and one in Woodstock — will be for sale at a public auction that is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Pipestone County Courthouse.

A fifth tax-forfeited property located at 622 Third Ave. SW in Pipestone was sold to the city of Pipestone for $1 because it was a small strip of land along the north side of another tax-forfeited property that the city bought for $1 last year. The house on the property will be renovated through a partnership between the Pipestone Economic Development Authority and the Minnesota West Community and Technical College carpentry program. Students will begin renovating the house later this year after school begins.

The first step commissioners took during their July 26 meeting to prepare the five tax-forfeited properties for sale was to declare them non-conservation land. They then reviewed each property and the basic sale prices recommended by the county’s building committee, which includes commissioners Dan Wildermuth and Les Nath, the county administrator and auditor-treasurer, with guidance provided by the assessor’s office regarding valuations. The basic sale price is the minimum price for which the properties can be sold at the public auction.

The two former Central School lots at 400 Second Ave. SW have the highest basic sale price. The basic sale price was set at $28,000 for the north lot and $72,000 for the south lot, which is larger.

After much discussion, the commissioners reduced the basic sale price for a property on lots 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in Block 10 in Hatfield from the recommended $12,000 to $6,000 with a 3-1 vote. Commissioner Dallas Roskamp cast the vote of opposition and Commissioner Chris Hollingsworth was absent.

“After seeing the photos, I really question whether that shouldn’t be a lower number,” said Commissioner Luke Johnson. “Between the mold, the buckling ceilings and walls, some of it looks very unattractive.”

Roskamp said he favored sticking with the recommended basic sale prices for all the properties. Wildermuth said he agreed with that and wanted to make sure they were in compliance with the law. Nath said he wanted to price it to move.
For the fifth property, in Woodstock, the commissioners approved the recommended sale price of $500. Pipestone County Auditor-Treasurer Amanda Sandy referred to the triangular, .3-acre piece of property, which is located in farm land, as an “irregular parcel.” She said it could be sold through a private party sale to an adjoining landowner if necessary.

The final sale prices for the properties will include a state surcharge, state deed fee, deed filing fee, state deed tax and any county administrative costs. Full payment is due at the sale with cash or cashier’s check. Any property not sold at the public sale may be purchased after the public sale by paying the basic sale price.