by VERONICA GORDON
As the saying goes, “One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain.” In this case, the misfortunate one is local printing business Thompson Supply, Inc., and the public has a chance to gain from a delinquent tax auction being held Saturday.
The auction includes all of the equipment and supplies that collection attorneys for Hays County taxing entities recently seized from the business owners.
Thompson Supply, Inc., located on Highway 21 next to Bon-Ton grocery, owes $50,000 in delinquent property taxes for 2011-2012.
Last week, Houston-based auctioneer Rudy Mayer and his associate William Austin were at the building taking inventory and pricing items for the upcoming sale.
“As far as I know it’s all going to sell,” Mayer said. “There will be something here for everybody. Everyone needs filing cabinets.”
Items for sale include everything from computers, desks and chairs to an air compressor, forklifts and delivery trucks and vans. Also among the items are paint mixers, artwork, fax machines and cash registers.
“Anything to do with the printing business is here,” Mayer said. “Copiers, printers, ink, shelving. It’s all going to be sold to satisfy the tax lien.”
Mayer said the bidding is open to all amounts and that the highest bidder wins the item.
“Be on top,” Mayer said.
Attorney Steve Bird of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP – the law firm that represents Hays County – said the proceeds from the sale will be given back to the county and to the Hays CISD.
According to Hays County tax records, Thompson Supply, Inc. has only been in the county since 2007. The company is listed on the tax rolls of Hays County, Hays CISD, the city of Uhland and five other taxing districts.
Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway said the company was paying its taxes until recently.
Caraway said there haven’t been any payments made or attempts to pay since the beginning of June.
Texas Property Code allows for the assets of any company to be seized if taxes remain unpaid.
Thompson Supply, Inc. phones are out of service and the owners could not be reached for comment. The building is for lease.
The auction begins at 10 a.m. Saturday.
