Small Town News

Auditor critical of land deal

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The Washington State Auditor's Office was critical of Elmer City for selling a small parcel of land for less than fair market value to the town clerk, it said in a report released this week.

The land was an old state highway right-of-way and isn't large enough to build on.

The parcel was contingent to property already owned by town clerk Renee Tillman and her husband. Tillman purchased it during a discussion at a town council meeting.

The town received $200 from Tillman, but the auditor's report said Okanogan County stated the fair assessed value was $5,500.

The property didn't have water, sewer or power to it. And at the time, August, 2007, the town declared the parcel surplus.

"The town did not obtain an appraisal on the property before selling to ensure that the price was reasonable," the Auditor's "finding" states. "Further, the town did not use a public process, such as soliciting bids, when selling the property to ensure it received the highest offer possible."

The auditor recommended that the town "refrain from making gifts of public land."

In a response to the auditor's finding, town officials wrote: "In August, 2007, the Town of Elmer City sold surplus right-of-way property to the town clerk and her husband. At that time, the Town of Elmer City believed the transaction was in the best interests of the town and did not perceive the transaction as gifting. The Town of Elmer City would no longer have to maintain the property; the property was of no present or foreseeable benefit to the town. The property then would be placed on the tax rolls.

"In the future the Town of Elmer City will make a conscious effort to research and comply with all applicable Washington State laws."

Other than that issue, the town received a clean audit.



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© 2010 The Star Grand Coulee, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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