Legislators unanimously agreed on June 7 to reschedule Sullivan County’s 2018 Real Estate Tax Foreclosure Auction to August 29, 2018.

Several last-minute pleas from residents who wanted to repurchase their properties led the Legislature to decide that the auction, typically held in June every year, should be postponed to allow further time for repurchases.

“People fall on hard times, and we as a Legislature understand that,” Chairman Luis Alvarez stated. “We don’t want to unduly burden taxpayers, though there is a process they need to follow.”

That process is stipulated by law, noted County Treasurer Nancy Buck.

“For over 17 years, I’ve strictly adhered to NYS Real Property Tax Law and Sullivan County local law,” she explained. “I don’t pick and choose, but I do want to help.”

Buck said the deadline for repurchasing foreclosed properties has now been extended to July 31, 2018. Those seeking to take advantage of this extension need to contact her office as soon as possible at 845-807-0200 or in person at the Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello.

“This is the right thing to do for the residents of Sullivan County. We needed to give the public an additional option,” said Vice Chair Nadia Rajsz of the Legislature’s 8-0 decision. (Legislator Scott Samuelson was at a NYS Association of Counties Board meeting and was unable to attend.)

“As a Legislature, our first priority is to represent the interests of the public, and I felt very strongly in this case that could only be served by allowing people to stay in their homes,” explained District 9 Legislator and Majority Leader Alan Sorensen. “Sometimes you have to revisit your policies and do the right thing, which we did. I feel good about it.”