Suffolk auctions $5.1 million in surplus property

Suffolk County last week sold at auction $5.1 million worth of surplus property that it had taken for unpaid taxes.

The two-day auction at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge sold 129 of 133 parcels offered for sale, officials said.

A 2012 auction raised $4.4 million and two auctions in 2011 brought in $3.6 million. Aides to County Executive Steve Bellone credited the increased revenue to recovery of the real estate market and improved technology that allows prospective buyers to view properties online.

Officials said this year's proceeds more than recovered the $3.1 million the county has paid to maintain the properties and laid out to schools, towns and other special districts by advancing them unpaid property tax money.

By selling the tracts, Suffolk is returning the parcels to the tax rolls, with annual tax revenues of $302,843 expected.