Escambia County Set To Return Century Property To Family Five Years After Back Tax Problem

September 9, 2026

The Escambia County Commission will consider formally deeding a Century home back to its original family next week after outstanding property taxes and liens were paid in full, concluding a multi-year effort to save the residence.

At their meeting on Thursday, commissioners will vote on a recommendation to rescind a 2021 surplus declaration and authorize the commission chair to sign a deed conveying the property at 511 Hecker Road to Shawanda (Newton) Poindexter, Latoya Redmond, Lalita Simpson, the heirs of Earwin Newton, and Amber Redmond.

The property escheated to Escambia County on January 7, 2021, after property taxes went unpaid for seven years. At the time, the total amount owed in back taxes and fees was calculated at $22,516.71 by the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office. Because no bidder purchased a tax certificate on the parcel, ownership transferred directly to the county, which zeroed out the tax rolls.

On April 22, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners declared the property surplus and authorized the County Attorney’s Office to begin eviction proceedings to remove occupants and abandoned vehicles so the county could sell the home at a public auction.

However, at the board’s May 6, 2021, meeting, Poindexter appeared before commissioners to plead for an opportunity to redeem the home, which was left to her and her siblings after their mother passed away.

“Give me time to pay this so me and my siblings can redeem the property please,” Poindexter asked the commission.

Commissioners agreed to halt the eviction process and grant an extension a Florida law which governs the reconveyance of escheated lands back to former owners or their heirs. Under that statutory process, former homestead owners are given the opportunity to reclaim the property by satisfying the required underlying taxes and liens while having certain sale penalties waived.

According to county documentation, Poindexter contacted the County Attorney’s Office in January of this year to report that funds were available to settle the debt. County officials confirmed that the taxes and liens identified in 2021 required for the return of the property have since been paid in full.

Under the terms of the agenda item, all remaining costs associated with accepting and recording the new deed will be paid by the property owners.

Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “Escambia County Set To Return Century Property To Family Five Years After Back Tax Problem”

  1. Scott on September 9th, 2026 1:28 am

    Property taxes are so unfair. We buy, we build, we improve our properties and then we gotta pay a tax just to have the property that the state has not put a dime in.





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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES