Commissioners okay transfer of parcel to diking district

It's a small piece of property outside the dike on North Welcome Slough Road and dotted with gaps where the river has eroded the bank.

It went through foreclosure, and when Wahkiakum County Treasurer Tammy Peterson tried to auction it last winter, there were no bidders.

That's when the interest started.

A private citizen offered to buy the property for the amount owing the county in back taxes and costs.

The matter came before the board of commissioners last week, and Chair Mike Backman said he wanted to postpone action until he had consulted with the board of commissioners of Diking District No. 1 on the Island. They had expressed interest, he said.

The issue came back to the commissioners' agenda Tuesday, and diking district Commissioner Phil Vik said the district was interested in the property and, hoping the county would transfer it to the district at no cost, the district hadn't offered a bid at the auction.

Vik said the district has a permit application pending before the US Army Corps of Engineers, and ownership of the property would enhance the application. Also, a neighboring property owner has promised to donate an adjacent parcel if the diking district acquired the parcel in question, and that would also enhance the application.

Peterson commented that by selling to the private citizen, the property would generate some property tax revenue for the county.

Assessor Bill Coons said the parcel, valued at $17,000, would generate $47.60 a year in property tax revenue.

Peterson said the county can't simply transfer the property to another governmental entity. Statutes require the back taxes and costs to be paid; this would total almost $3,500.

Vik said the diking district is prepared to pay that cost.

Commissioners supported the diking district request, saying its project would benefit the community.

"I would have to hold with the diking district on this," said Commissioner Dan Cothren.

"If we were to proceed with the diking district, they would have to pay costs," said Commissioner Blair Brady.

Peterson asked what would happen if the citizen came back with a higher offer. Brady said the process should be reviewed by the prosecuting attorney's office.

He moved to sell the parcel to the diking district, pending prosecuting attorney approval; Cothren seconded the motion, and it passed.