Walker County is looking to return several pieces of county-owned property to the tax rolls, beginning with a vacant tract of land in Rossville that has been in the county’s possession for nearly two decades.
County officials say Walker County has accumulated a number of properties over the years that currently serve no specific public purpose. Many of those properties were donated to the county rather than purchased.
A recent inventory of county-owned land identified roughly two dozen parcels that officials believe could potentially be better utilized by private residents, businesses or developers.
One of the first properties being offered for sale is parcel 2007-032, located along McFarland Avenue in Rossville. The property was part of land donated to Walker County by Coats American in 2007 and has remained vacant since that time.
According to the county’s invitation to bid, the tract being offered contains approximately 0.412 acres.
County officials say returning unused government property to private ownership could provide several benefits. County-owned property is exempt from local property taxes, meaning returning the land to private ownership could put it back on the tax rolls.
The county also remains responsible for maintenance and upkeep of property it owns, along with potential liability associated with the land.
Officials also pointed to the potential economic benefits of making unused property available to private owners who could develop or otherwise improve the land.
The county’s review identified 24 parcels for consideration: 0496-014, 0525-013A, 0114-007B, 0072-157, 0146-080A, 0157-097, 2005-055, 0002-013B, 0002-013D, 0562-011, 0002-013C, 0002-013E, 0002-013A, 0072-156, 1049-008, 0124-003A, 2007-032, 2007-002, 2007-003, 2001-077B, 2002-095, 2007-001, 2007-006 and 0062-041.
For the McFarland Avenue property, the Walker County Board of Commissioners is accepting sealed bids until 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14.
All bids must include a $1,000 earnest money deposit payable to the Walker County Board of Commissioners by cash, cashier’s check or money order. Bids below $44,895 will not be considered.
Bid specifications are available through the Walker County Attorney’s Office at 222 Webb Street in Cumming. Bids must also be returned to that office before the deadline.
The bids are scheduled to be opened at 11 a.m. Aug. 14 at the Walker County Attorney’s Office. The opening is open to bidders and the general public.
An award will be made at a later date, and the Walker County Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
The Rossville property could be the beginning of a broader effort by Walker County to reduce its inventory of unused land, eliminate associated maintenance costs and return property to private ownership and the local tax rolls.