AUBURN -- The city's policy of taking properties of delinquent taxpayers in hopes of getting them back on tax rolls is starting to impact the amount of homes taken each year.

Auburn officials began buying tax liens four years ago, treasurer Marie Nellenback said.

The city joined with Cayuga County to participate in a property auction at the same time.

"That's really seemed to help. We have a way to sell the properties and get money for them. We can dispose of them and get them back on the tax rolls," Nellenback said.

"We haven't had to take that many this year, so the process of following through is working," she said. They take about 20 to 25 to sell them in the auction.

The Auburn City Council will vote whether to allow Nellenback to begin the same process this year during the Thursday night meeting.

At this point, debtors owe nearly $1.2 million, but Nellenback predicts the amount will decrease as the deadline approaches. The city counts on receiving about $10.5 million in property taxes.

Property owners have until Wednesday, June 20, to pay their property taxes. Then, pending council approval, the city will purchase their tax liens.

Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Citizen.