ABILITY OF COUNTY TO AGREE TO RECEIVE LESS THAN DUE AND OWING

PROPERTY ‑- TAXATION ‑- SALE BY CITY ‑- ABILITY OF COUNTY TO AGREE TO RECEIVE LESS THAN DUE AND OWING 

To facilitate a sale by a city under RCW 35.53.030 of property held in trust by the city, a county may not agree to receive less than the full amount of taxes, interest, and penalties owed to it on such property in order to place the property back on the tax rolls

                                                              - - - - - - - - - - - - -

                                                               December 14, 1987 

Honorable Andrew K. Miller
Benton County Prosecuting Attorney
Benton County Justice Center
7320 West Quinault
Kennewick, Washington 99336

Cite as:  AGO 1987 No. 27                                                                                                                

 Dear Sir:

             By letter previously acknowledged, you have requested the opinion of this office on the following question:

             To facilitate a sale by a city under RCW 35.53.030 of property held in trust by the city, may a county agree to receive less than the full amount of taxes, interest, and penalties owed to it on such property in order to place the property back on the tax rolls?

             We answer your question in the negative for the reasons set forth in our analysis.

                                                                      ANALYSIS

             Taxes and assessments may be owed on property to both a county and a city.  If the city forecloses on its assessment lien, bids in the property at the foreclosure sale, and puts the property up for sale, the property is still subject to the county's outstanding  [[Orig. Op. Page 2] ] taxes.  Your question arises in the context of the pending sale by the city.  We answer that question and do not address the issue of the county's authority outside the context of the city's sale.1/

             Property may be acquired by a city at the city's own foreclosure sale following foreclosure of delinquent local improvement assessments pursuant to chapter 35.50 RCW.  Under these circumstances, the city holds title to the property in trust for the benefit of the bondholders and other creditors of the local improvement district for the purpose of realizing funds on lease or resale of such property pursuant to RCW 35.53.030.  State ex rel. King Cy. Water Dist. v. Stacy, 10 Wn.2d 248, 116 P.2d 356 (1941); RCW 35.53.010.  While it is held in trust by the city, the property is "exempt from taxation for general state, county and municipal purposes . . . ."  RCW 35.53.010.  This tax exempt status may prompt a county to seek to facilitate a sale by the city of the trust property to place the property back on the county tax rolls.

             RCW 35.53.030 governs the lease or sale of property held in trust by the city.  It provides:

             A city or town may lease or sell and convey any such property held in trust by it, by virtue of the conveyance thereof to it by a local improvement assessment deed.  The sale may be public or private and for such price and upon such terms as may be determined by resolution of the council, any provisions of law, charter, or ordinance to the contrary notwithstanding.  After first reimbursing any funds which may have advanced moneys on account of any lot, tract, or parcel, all proceeds resulting from lease or sale thereof shall ratably belong and be paid into the funds of the local improvement concerned.

 The clear and unambiguous language of this statute indicates that the city may sell such property for less than the full amount of  [[Orig. Op. Page 3] ] taxes, interest, and penalties in accordance with a resolution of the city council.2/

              See AGO 1959-1960 No. 130; AGO 1931-1932 p. 252.  The statute also provides, however, that all proceeds from the city's sale belong to the funds of the local improvement concerned.  RCW 35.53.030.  Therefore, while the proceeds from the city's sale can be less than the full amount owed the city, such proceeds cannot be divided between the city and the county to satisfy the liens of both entities.

             RCW 35.53.030 does not provide for a means of satisfying the county's outstanding taxes.  In the context of a sale of property under this provision, there is no authority for the county to receive any less than the full amount of taxes, interest, and penalties from the purchaser of the property.  We, therefore, answer your question in the negative.

 Very truly yours,
KENNETH O. EIKENBERRY
Attorney General 

TERESE NEU RICHMOND
Assistant Attorney General