State Lands Commissioner Announces August 20 Auction for Tax-Delinquent Parcels
Tommy Land, Commissioner of State Lands, has announced a regional auction of tax-delinquent properties scheduled for August 20. The event will take place at the Avalon Keep Botanical Gardens, located at 4671 AR-8 in Mena. The auction is set to begin at 10 a.m., with registration opening at 9:00 a.m.
“Regional auctions proved popular among our buyers last year, and we are continuing that process this year,” Commissioner Land stated. “This format allows bidders to participate in auctions for multiple counties at a single event, streamlining the process.”
The auction will proceed alphabetically by county, covering properties from Howard, Montgomery, Pike, Polk, and Sevier Counties. Interested bidders can access the Public Auction Catalog on the Commissioner’s website at www.cosl.org. The catalog includes detailed information on auction dates, times, locations, and a comprehensive list of available parcels. Prospective bidders are encouraged to review the buyer’s guide and applicable statutes before attending the auction. An instructional video on the website offers guidance on how to research parcel information.
Commissioner Land also reminded property owners that the redemption period for tax-delinquent parcels changed in 2023. Parcels must be redeemed by 4 p.m. on the last business day before the auction date, with both the petition to redeem and payment required by this deadline. “Once parcels are sold at auction, they cannot be redeemed,” Land emphasized.
Bidders must register before placing a bid, and payments can be made via business or personal checks, or credit/debit cards. Cash is not accepted. “Property taxes fund essential services like schools, roads, libraries, and emergency services,” Land noted. “Timely payment helps avoid interest and penalties.”
Properties that do not sell at the auction will be listed on the COSL’s post-auction sales list 30 days after the event, where they can be purchased through an online auction system. An additional instructional video on the COSL website details the process for purchasing these properties.
For those looking to redeem delinquent taxes, payments can be made online at www.cosl.org using a credit or debit card. Alternatively, owners can print a Petition to Redeem from the website or request one by calling 501-324-9422. Payments by check or money order can be mailed, while cash payments are only accepted in person at the COSL office at 1020 W. 4th Street in Little Rock.
