Local News

Property Tax is an Option in Clay County Kansas

Apparently, you don't have to pay property taxes in Clay County Kansas. As of May 20, 2025, the last day to pay second half taxes for the year, we found several properties that are at least 5 years delinquent. We contacted the county treasurer, who informed us that the county had contracted the foreclosure sales to a law firm in Wichita by the name of Klenda Austerman. This after years of only having, "Coming Soon" posted on the county's tax sales page.

We contacted a "Terry" at Klenda Austerman, who claims to be in charge of the auctions. Her response was that "it would be at least another 6 months" before these properties are put up for public auction. She referred me to their website page for public auctions. There we found a list of several counties in Kansas who have also farmed out their delinquent tax business to Klenda Austerman. The counties are listed in alphabetical order. We found no listing for Clay County.

We contacted the Governor. She replied that the "Home Rule" situation overrides the state's mandate that properties be foreclosed upon after 3 years delinquent. So, here we have a situation where a poor county in Kansas, where two cities, Clay Center and Wakefield, are constantly battling for money, are taking no action to increase or at least maintain their tax revenue base. Also, the rights of the public, to prosper and grow by acquiring these fallow properties, are being denied outright. That is unconstitutional.

This also flies in the face of common sense. At a time when people are clamoring about an organization called "Grow Clay County," people are either actively working, or are too stupid and lazy, not to enforce the tax codes already on the books. It's like Dumb and Dumber.