Bollinger County Collector Nonie Cowell sold four properties at a public auction at the county courthouse Aug. 26.

Two of the properties were for lots in the Zalma area, while the final two sales were strictly for mineral rights for anything found below the property’s surface.

David and Marietta Reinagel purchased the first two properties, which had been owned by Michael A. Ely. Described as Lot #1 April Hills Subdivision, #4, the first sale was for a 0.65 acre parcel on Bollinger County Road 710. The second property was legally described as Lots #2 and #3, April Hills No. 4, a 0.99 acre parcel.

The cost of the first parcel was $54.63 in taxes, another $59.25 in interest and $74.15 in “costs", leaving a total amount paid of $188.03. The cost of the second parcel was listed as $617.52, which included $355.42 in taxes, another $196.70 in interest and penalties and $65.40 in “costs.”

The purchase price for mineral rights was $527.75 at the first location on Bollinger County Road 624, which included $12.83 in taxes not paid, $39.95 in interest, plus $447.22 in surplus. It was purchased by Grimes Trail Wetlands LLC.

The purchase price for mineral rights was $500 at the second location on Bollinger County Road 624 and it was purchased by James and Denise Landewee. Specifically, this included $12.83 in taxes, another $39.95 interest and penalties plus another $447.22 in surplus. The previous owners of the properties sold for mineral rights only were James and Sally Keasler and Paul A. and Christine N. Schmittling.

The starting amount of the bids had to be, at minimum, the amount of county tax owed on the property

The primary reason the properties and mineral rights were up for sale was due to delinquent taxes. Some municipalities have tax sales every year, while others operate on a two-year or three-year cycle.

Two additional properties, one on Bollinger County Road 831 and in the 100 block of Estes Street in Marble Hill, had the tax bill paid ahead of the deadline and were not available for public auction.