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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Local governments sell tax liens from delinquent properties to private companies in order to collect overdue tax revenue. While helpful in the short term for providing governmental services the revenue pays for, the long term may have negative consequences for communities where these properties are located due to their continued neglect and disrepair under the tax lein purchasers. In addition, the sale of tax leins may even end up costing the local government more money as was the case for Genesee County in Michigan in the 1990s.
"Along with disrupting revitalization efforts, dilapidated properties lower the value of surrounding homes. As the properties depress the tax base, they also use more government services, such as code officers, police officers and firefighters, than occupied properties," Immergluck said.
