MOUNT VERNON — Citing the desire to avoid the perception of conflict of interest, Jeffry Harris resigned Friday as president of the Knox County Land Bank.
Harris, who is also president of the Area Development Foundation, is taking a more active role in prosecuting tax foreclosure cases on behalf of Knox County Treasurer Shelly Coon.
“As both the president of the Land Bank and the special prosecutor for Shelly Coon, the extent of my duties may be confusing at times to observers or local stakeholders,” he wrote in his resignation letter to the land bank board.
Harris plans to remain active with the Land Bank through his role as president of the ADF. The ADF contractually manages the Land Bank.
Harris recommended that the Land Bank’s board of directors appoint Jeff Gottke as president. The board accepted that recommendation. Gottke previously served as vice president of the Land Bank and continues to serve as vice president of the ADF.
Land Bank revenue increased by $8,900 in the past month through the sale of five Rich Hill and three Brinkhaven lots. The Land Bank also received $88,824.71 in DTAC fees (Delinquent Tax and Assessment Collection).
Expenses — in the form of management, title, professional and property boarding fees — totaled $5,004.17.
Gottke reported that a buyer has been identified for a fourth lot in Brinkhaven. Knox County Habitat for Humanity is also an identified buyer for an Apple Valley lot.
Two vacant and tax delinquent properties will go before the Knox County Board of Revision in June: 505 N. Jefferson St. in Mount Vernon and 205 Ross St. in Danville. A BOR hearing is an expedited way to process foreclosures on vacant and tax delinquent properties.
Gottke anticipates bringing two more properties before the BOR in July: 304 E. Ohio Ave.($10,286.64 owed) and 244 Newark Rd. ($5,479.84 owed).
The closing on the sale of the former Elmwood fire station at 215 Ames St. is scheduled for May 9.
