63 delinquent colonia properties auctioned
Despite weeks of warnings by county officials, 63 properties in the B and C Colonia Improvement District were auctioned Thursday at the Yuma County Supervisors Auditorium.
Originally, 176 properties were designated for auction after failing to pay their improvement district assessments. But county staff, through public outreach efforts, reduced the number before the 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline.
“It was disappointing that we had to go through the process at all, but it definitely could have been worse,” said County Administrator Robert Pickels. “But we are hopeful that we can still solve all or most of these issues during the course of the next year.”
The improvement district was created to help defray rising sewage costs for residents. Most of the $23 million project was financed by grants, but the remaining portion was to be paid with a special assessment that the property owner would have to pay each year.
The assessments are covered by a strict state statute that requires delinquent properties be auctioned immediately after the deadline passes. The statute was designed to ensure the remaining costs for the project would be paid.
Those whose property was auctioned Thursday do not immediately lose their homes. Owners now have 13 months to pay off the entire special assessment plus interest if they want to keep their property. For most properties, the assessment ranges between $2,700 and $3,400.
Pickels added that only 12 of the 63 properties were purchased by third parties, which means the remaining 51 properties were returned to the improvement district.
“We expect the process for redemption of the properties by the original owners to be much easier for the properties which the district now owns,” said Pickels. “Because those homeowners can go directly to county staff to work out a solution.”
Programs are still available to those who qualify, but they need to contact the county as soon as possible.
Affected property owners can call the Yuma County improvement district specialist at 341-2500.
