The Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands will host a regional auction of tax-delinquent properties from Clay, Greene, Lawrence, and Randolph counties on Friday, Sept. 15, according to Commissioner Tommy Land.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Paragould Community Center, located at 3404 Linwood Drive. Registration for prospective bidders will open at 9 a.m.
“Regional auctions have been a popular and efficient adaptation,” Land said, explaining that the format allows bidders to attend sales for multiple counties in one location. Bidding during the event will follow an alphabetical county order.
Those interested in the sale can review the Public Auction Catalog available on the Commissioner’s website, www.cosl.org. The catalog includes details on the auction’s date, time, and location, as well as an itemized list of parcels up for sale. Additional resources on the site include a buyer’s guide, relevant statutes governing sales, and a video tutorial to assist prospective bidders in researching parcels before the auction.
Land reminded property owners that the redemption period for tax-delinquent parcels ends at 4 p.m. on the last business day before the sale date. Property owners must ensure both payment and the petition to redeem are received by that deadline, as parcels sold at auction cannot be redeemed thereafter.
To participate, bidders must register in advance and present a state or federal ID issued within the U.S. Purchases must be paid in full at the auction site and can be made using personal or business checks, debit cards, or credit cards. Cash payments are not accepted for purchases. Bidding on each parcel will start at the amount owed in taxes, penalties, and interest; however, 2025 taxes are not included in the bids because they are not yet delinquent. Winning bidders must pay those 2025 taxes to the respective county tax collector by Oct. 15.
“Property taxes are essential for funding schools, roads, libraries, and public services like ambulances,” Land said, emphasizing that timely tax payments benefit the community while helping property owners avoid additional penalties.
Parcels that go unsold at the auction will be listed on the Commissioner’s website 30 days after the auction date and can then be purchased via an online auction system. An instructional video on this alternative purchasing process is also available on the site.
Owners of delinquent properties can still redeem their parcels before the auction by paying taxes and associated penalties. Payments can be made online at www.cosl.org with a credit or debit card, by check or money order using a Petition to Redeem form from the website, or in person using certified funds, including cash, at the Commissioner of State Lands office in Little Rock.
For more information, property owners or bidders can contact the office at 501-324-9422.