Surry County revises tax deed process and addresses staffing changes in key departments

Sawyer County is facing a wave of staffing changes as several key positions become available, including openings in the real property lister area and the highway department. The recent transitions stem from various departures, including a deputy clerk court moving to a judicial assistant role and retirements in adult services. Despite these changes, county officials expressed confidence in maintaining stability across major departments.

A significant topic discussed was the revision of the tax deed process. The county plans to amend its ordinance to reduce the waiting period for tax delinquency from five years to three, aligning with state statutes. This change aims to streamline the process of reclaiming tax-delinquent properties, which has been a point of contention due to a class action lawsuit affecting counties statewide. The lawsuit requires that any proceeds from the sale of tax deed lands be returned to prior owners, prompting counties to work closely with their insurance companies to address potential liabilities.

Additionally, the newly formed Government Operations Accountability and Transparency (GOAT) committee has initiated a records request concerning the county's spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. County officials are currently sifting through materials to respond to this request, which has proven to be a time-consuming task.

In other developments, the county is preparing for the implementation of Act 235, which involves new protocols for shielding judges' personal information. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance privacy and security for judicial figures.

Lastly, the county is moving forward with runway reconstruction at the airport, with contracts signed and a preconstruction meeting scheduled for the upcoming spring. The project is expected to commence shortly after road bans are lifted, marking a significant investment in local infrastructure.