Commissioner of State Lands announces regional tax auction results

LITTLE ROCK – The recent auction of tax-delinquent properties in Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River and Miller Counties raised over $248 thousand; the Commissioner of State Lands announced.

The regional auction drew 51 registered bidders, who purchased 94 of 122 parcels for $248,285.88. Results were as follows:

Hempstead County: 30 parcels offered; 24 parcels sold; $36,690.36 total; $10,926.38 taxes collected

Lafayette County: 12 parcels offered; 10 parcels sold; $29,423.70 total; $5,266.40 taxes collected

Little River County: 9 parcels offered; 8 parcels sold; $23,867.52 total; $3,985.24 taxes collected

Miller County: 71 parcels offered; 52 parcels sold; $158,304.30 total; $52,516.57 taxes collected

The Land Commissioner’s office is holding regional auctions to offer real estate parcels delinquent since 2018.

“Just a small portion of property certified to our office goes to auction,” Commissioner Tommy Land said. “The vast majority of owners redeem their property by paying the delinquent taxes. Of course, we always prefer that property be redeemed if the owners want to keep it, but it is vital that the parcels return to the county’s active tax rolls.”

The COSL office forwards taxes and interest to the county, whether that money is collected through redemption or sale.

“Last year, this office sent more than $23 million to school districts and county governments,” Land said. “Of that, $623,847.33 went to these four counties, helping fund everything from roads to schools.”

Those turnback amounts were:

Hempstead County: $158,491.64.

Lafayette County: $71,097.40.

Little River County: $20,090.73.

Miller County: $374,167.56.

Auction sales are final.

Unsold parcels may be redeemed online at www.cosl.org, using a credit or debit card, or owners can call 501-324-9422 to request a Petition to Redeem. Redemption does not grant ownership; it simply makes the taxes current.

Parcels that did not sell at the public auction will be available after 30 days and can be purchased through an online auction by viewing the Post-Auction Sales List at www.cosl.org.