Officials move on Firestone Farms foreclosure

Staff report

LISBON

Columbiana County Treasurer Nick Barborak wants the county to proceed with foreclosure on the Firestone Farms property.

Barborak has asked the county prosecutor’s office to research the law.

The treasurer said the development owes $150,000 in delinquent real-estate taxes to the Columbiana School District and $800,000 in a special assessment for funds provided by the city to develop the infrastructure of the housing development there.

The treasurer said some public agencies such as the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, Division of Children Services, could get some back taxes if a sale goes through.

PNC Bank tried to sell the property, but there have been no buyers.

The treasurer said that he believes the amount owed the bank is in the millions of dollars.

Developer Wayne Bacon previously said that sales slowed because of the slow economy.

There are about 1,000 acres at the development.