State Rep. Chris Ross (R-158)
HARRISBURG — The state House of Representatives this week unanimously passed two bills sponsored by Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) that will allow first-class townships and boroughs to sell surplus property via electronic auctions.
“My legislation gives certain municipalities another means of disposing of property that is no longer needed and is still useful,” said Ross. “These bills also enable municipalities to recoup some of their financial investment in these items and to use the proceeds to satisfy other municipal needs.”
House Bill 372 applies to first-class townships and House Bill 373 pertains to boroughs. The bills establish rules for the advertising of online auctions and the manner in which auctions are conducted.
The current method of disposing of surplus property, which consists of advertising in local newspapers and soliciting sealed bids, often results in no bids. By using the web, municipalities can efficiently get to a wider bidding audience, insuring a better result for the taxpayers.
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
