Dear editor:

Last week, a friend brought to my attention that our name was in the paper.  And not for a good thing — our name was listed in the Notice of Sale of Real Property for delinquent taxes.  The article indicated that the Treasurer will, on “the 12th day of August A.D. 2026”  “offer for sale the following described real estate for tax due and unpaid.  The real estate will be sold …”

I contacted Park County Treasurer’s Office immediately, as I had records that our property tax was paid. I was informed that the delinquency was with Shoshone Irrigation District, and that they (Park County) were not responsible for that tax. I contacted Shoshone Irrigation District and was told that they send out one bill in October, that there are no reminder statements, that my account must be delinquent and that I could pay within two weeks. I immediately went to Shoshone Irrigation District, found that I had made a half payment in October, and I must have filed the statement and did not remember to pay the second half. My fault, I am old and forgetful. I paid the amount we owed to Shoshone Irrigation District. However this amount was different (lower) from the amount listed in the paper and I could not get an immediate explanation of why. Mike at the Shoshone Irrigation District office was very helpful in trying to get an answer. 

After I paid, the list appeared two more times in the Powell Tribune, and our name continued to be on the list even though Shoshone Irrigation informed me that they had provided an updated list to the county treasurer showing I had paid. 

I have contacted the Park County Treasurer’s office on several occasions, as well as Shoshone Irrigation District, to find out why there was a discrepancy in the dollar amount, and if this discrepancy would result in the “sale” of our property. Park County indicated that they just publish what Shoshone Irrigation gives them, and Shoshone Irrigation indicated that they had provided the dollar amount that was different from what was printed in the paper. 

After multiple calls to the Park County Treasurer’s Office, I finally got an understandable explanation:  The property itself will not be sold on Aug. 12. Someone could come and pay the amount published in the paper, which includes the tax owed, plus interest, plus a publishing fee. This establishes a lien. If the lien is not paid in 18 months, the property is available to the person who paid the tax. The list is published three times, and is not updated due to costs.

Suggestions: Publish the statute reference with the list to provide additional information to the consumer. Publish clarification that the property is not “SOLD” on the date, and instead that a tax lien is established. Consider modifying the statute so that published statement is an actual reflection of what will occur, and is not as threatening and angst producing. Consider having a scripted explanation of the process so all persons in the treasurer’s office can provide this information to the land owner/customer. Consider sending reminder statements to customers/land owners.  

Karen Zaninovich Parker

Powell