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Couple gains island in tax auction
While some may dream of someday owning an island, for most it remains just that–a dream.
But not so for Dominic and Carla Repici of Front Royal, thanks to the sharp eyes of county treasury officials searching for tax-delinquent properties.
On April 10, the Repicis became the new owners of an approximately eight-acre island in the Shenandoah River next to their property. The area is just off Route 50 at the tip of what is known as Harden Island and runs along the county line between Clarke and Warren counties.
Their winning bid was approximately $25,000, county Treasurer Sharon Keeler said. The island was scheduled for auction, she added, after her office discovered that taxes on it, amounting to $2,503.91, were delinquent back to 1986 and that the owner of record was a now-defunct corporation whose officers could not be located.
The auction was a victory for the county and the new owners, both Keeler and the Repicis said.
“We are just delighted to get the island,” said Dominic Repici, who is an attorney.
He explained it will help guarantee their privacy, “because the only way to it is either by boat or trespassing across our land.”
"I have no real plans for it,” he said, noting that it is in a flood plain and often partially under water.
All in all, Keeler said her office took in $127,850 from the auction of about 13 properties, including the island. Others auctioned were lots in the Shenandoah Retreat area, Millwood, and on Route 340, Keeler said.
"I’m not looking to make a profit; I’m just looking to get it (the delinquent property) back on the tax rolls," Keeler said. Getting delinquent properties back on the rolls helps ease the tax burden on other property owners, she noted.
"If they’re delinquent, I’ll sell them," she stressed, adding that she welcomes inquiries from people who are interested in buying such properties.
Contact the reporter at rmarlow@timespapers.com
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