Anson County held its surplus real estate auction at noon Sept. 12. All of the 15 properties auctioned sold, earning the county $29,750 in gross auction proceeds, according to an email from County Manager Lawrence Gatewood.
This, combined with $4,950 for the sale of timber on one of the parcels, brings the total profits of the sale to $34,700, according to Gatewood. This total does not include the added benefits of eventual taxes.
Joe Dutton, an auctioneer and the county tax collector, volunteered his services for the sale as an auctioneer. “He does an awesome job for the county and it’s very generous of him [to do this],” said Gatewood.
Gatewood also expressed his gratefulness for Cathy Baxter and Larry Newton for their assistance with the auction.
Gatewood said he counted at least 50 people at the auction at one point and thought the auction successful. Retired U.S. N.C. Col. Donnie B. Jordan, who owns several local properties, attended the auction and praised Gatewood and the county’s efforts. “I think you took assets that were not income-producing and made them income-producing,” he said, referring not only to the immediate money for the properties but also future taxes that the county will collect. “It couldn’t be handled any better. You put it in the paper, had packets… I was glad to see there was good participation.”
Jordan also praised Gatewood’s achievements as county manager, listing examples of the auction, and the renovations to the courthouse and the Belk Building. “As a taxpayer in this county, Mr. Gatewood has done more than anybody else in my lifetime.”
The properties sold at the auction included lots in Wadesboro, Morven, McFarlan and Ansonville, with property values ranging from $1,300-$25,900.
After selling the last property, Dutton announced that the county plans to have a similar sale with about 15 more properties in the future.
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