I understand that Mammoth Mayor Don Jones said in a recent public meeting, and I’m paraphrasing here, that if the town would go bankrupt the county would be able to exact liens on homes within the town.
I would like to assure Mammoth residents that this is not the case. There is no direct Pinal County connection to a potential bankruptcy and private homeowners. In other words, we would not be originating liens on a private property if the Town of Mammoth would declare bankruptcy.
The transaction of home buying is between the seller and the buyer. The only role the county has in this process is the recording of documents. After the transaction is complete, the county assesses yearly property taxes.
The only way that the county could place a lien on a property is if property taxes are not paid or if other fees are owed to the county.
I hope this helps to put any fears to rest that the county would come in and place liens on any private property in Mammoth due to the town declaring bankruptcy. The citizens should remember that once an entity files for bankruptcy, it is the Bankruptcy Court (not the county) which has the ultimate say as to who can or cannot file any liens. Again, the County has no say in such an approval and could not on its own file liens against an individual’s property.
Sincerely,
Vice-Chairman Pete Rios
District 1
