(August 19)  The county of San Bernardino this week sold eight parcels of property totaling approximately 19.3 acres it picked up through tax defaults to four governmental entities or foundations for amounts considered well below market value.
According to Larry Walker, San Bernardino County’s combined Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector, the land in question is located in Loma Linda, the San Bernardino Mountain community of Arrow Bear, Johnson Valley and Oak Glen.
“Pursuant to Chapter 8 of the California Revenue and
Taxation Code, taxing agencies or eligible non-profit organizations have the ability to request to purchase a parcel once it has become subject to the Tax Collector’s power of sale,” Walker said.
With regard to the Loma Linda property, Walker stated in a report to the board of supervisors dated August 19, “The sale price of $2,700, plus the cost of giving notice, will satisfy all taxes, reimburse costs, and be apportioned accordingly. The city of Loma Linda has requested a Chapter 8 sale of tax-defaulted parcel No. 0293-341-49-0000. This is an undeveloped parcel, approximately 846 feet x 10 feet, that provides drainage to an adjacent housing development and sale to the city would allow them to maintain the drainage site.”
As relates to the property in Arrow Bear, Walker said,
“The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust has requested a Chapter 8 sale of tax-defaulted parcels, Nos. 0327-104-14-0000, 0327-104-27-0000, and 0327-104-30 -0000, for preserving the scenic, wildlife, watershed, and forest open space values of each parcel. All of the parcels are located in Arrow Bear Park within the San Bernardino National Forest and are each approximately 3,000 square feet in size. The sale price of $9,800, plus the cost of giving notice, will satisfy all taxes, reimburse costs, and be apportioned accordingly.”
Of the Johnson Valley property, Walker said, “The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency has requested a Chapter 8
sale of tax-defaulted parcels, Nos. 0454-683-01-0000 and 0635-031-01-0000, for the general betterment of the agency facilities as described in the 2007 Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency Water Master Plan. The intended use is for future capital improvements which could include water system facilities, groundwater production or monitoring wells, water storage tanks, water hauling stations, groundwater recharge facilities, pipelines, buildings, and/or appurtenances. Parcel No. 0454-683-01-0000 is 5.0 acres, located off Old Woman Springs Road in Johnson Valley, and parcel No. 0635-031-01-0000 is 4.5 acres of undeveloped land located off Linn Road in Landers. The sale price of $12,400, plus the cost of giving notice, will satisfy all taxes, reimburse costs, and be apportioned accordingly.
In addressing the county’s transfer of property in Oak Glen to the city of Yucaipa, Walker said, “The city of Yucaipa has requested a Chapter 8 sale of tax-defaulted parcels, Nos. 0321-141-03-0000 and 0321-141-04-0000, to protect or enhance flood protection corridors, while preserving the open space and enhancing the wildlife habitat value of the real property. These parcels are each 4.7 acres and located within the Oak Glen Creek wash area.
The sale price of $8,000, plus the cost of giving notice, will satisfy all taxes, reimburse costs, and be apportioned accordingly.