NAMPA -- Two Canyon County properties hit the auction block Tuesday and were sold for a fraction of what they're actually worth. That’s because the owners were three years delinquent on their irrigation water taxes.
We looked into irrigation water rights and how you can protect yourself from your property going up for auction.
One 40-acre plot of land was auctioned off for just $6,600, a fraction of its real value.
The Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District held a closed-door auction Tuesday.
Daren Coon is the district’s treasurer. He says Idaho law mandates they auction off any property that's three years behind on taxes.
“It's not the goal of the irrigation district to sell any property in tax deed. We would rather have everyone pay their taxes on time. That is absolutely not the goal, but it is absolutely the law that mandates the district do this,” said Coon.
Coon says it's important for land owners to know if their property has any rights, like irrigation water rights, to avoid any confusion.
“We hope that people will listen to these types of events and kind of pay attention, and call and make inquiry to find out if their land is in Nampa-Meridian Water District or perhaps another irrigation district, there by avoiding a similar circumstance,” said Coon.
Coon says they send multiple letters to the land owners over the past three years to let them know they are delinquent before they go forward with an auction.
Although one plot of land was auctioned off for just $6,600, Coon says the new owner will have to pay for any other liens that may have been placed on the property.
Coon says most mortgage payments do not include irrigation water taxes.
He says the best way to find out if you owe money is to either check your sales documents or closing papers. That information is typically spelled out on them.
You can also contact your title company or call your irrigation district directly.
