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“The city’s biggest problem is, whenever we do these road dedications, when the individual property owner wants to do a road dedication, we always require a title report to come through,” said Wareham. “The title report is supposed to spell out all the unpaid taxes, or any liabilities, or whatever is going to be, on the unforeseen things that are going to be acquired by the purchaser of the property so it is basically disclosed. When we get the title report on these types of things we never do see anything about rollback taxes.”

The county has the option not to transfer title until the rollback taxes are paid, but it chooses not to exercise that option, Wareham added.

Iron County officials dispute that assessment.

“We have to record when a title comes in. We do not have an option, and we have a fiduciary duty to collect rollback taxes,” said Iron County Assessor Cindy Bulloch. “We have done it, and we have to be consistent in collecting rollback taxes on other property owned by Cedar City, Parowan, Kanarraville and Enoch city, and is part of the reason the commissioners will not waive the taxes.

“It’s not our duty to check out liens, and if there was a lien, they should’ve cleared it up before taking ownership,” Bulloch said. “The city has ignored it for five years. We’ve been sending them bills for five years, or it wouldn’t be going to tax sale.”

Properties at the tax sale will go to the highest bidder, who is required to pay for purchases immediately after the sale and will be given a tax sale deed, not a warranty deed or quick claim, Norwood said.

“It’s a final sale,” Norwood added.

Anyone interested in participating in the tax sale is encouraged to contact the county for specific information and details both about the sale and the properties at 477-8361, or visit www.ironcounty.net on the Internet.