Tax Foreclosure Class Action Settlement
Bay County is participating in a settlement of claims for surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure auctions before 2021. The settlement is for properties that were sold for more than the outstanding taxes and expenses between 2013 and 2020. Class members are persons or entities that had an ownership interest in the property. The case is Fox, et al. v. Saginaw, County, et al. Case No. 1:19-cv-11887, pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. More information is available at the official website for this settlement, which can be found at the link below. Class members should have received a notice of this settlement in the mail. If you think you are entitled to participate in the settlement and have not received a notice, you can contact the claims administrator through the website. You must timely file a claim to participate in the settlement. The claims deadline is July 16, 2026.
Instructions and deadlines for pursuing a claim are on the notice and website at: Surplus Proceeds Settlement
About Us
Weston Prince, The office of the County Treasurer was established by the Michigan State Constitution (Article VII, Section 4). The four-year term of office is filled by partisan election. The duties and powers of the County Treasurer are provided by state law and by authorization of the county Board of Commissioners. The two main roles of the treasurer are as the custodian of all county funds and the collector of taxes. Additionally, the treasurer fulfills many other duties.
The county receives money from several sources. The principal source of revenue is an ad valorem property tax. Other income is received from state and federal grants, interest income and various service and license fees. Many of the county's departments collect money in the course of their business. This money is periodically deposited with the treasurer, who is in a sense, the county's banker. Besides revenue items, the treasurer is responsible for large amounts of money in various trust and agency funds. These include such classes as circuit court trust, veterans' trust, special drainage districts and county road improvement projects.
The office is responsible for accounting of all revenue coming to the county for investments of idle funds, for the securities and monies held in financial institutions; collection of delinquent property taxes; reconveyance of property; certification of deeds and plat maps and other documents pertaining to tax histories and litigation; also conducts the annual delinquent tax sale.
The County Treasurer serves on several boards, including the County Election Commission, Chairperson of the Bay County Land Bank Authority, Bay County Retirement Board and Plat Board. The Board of Commissioners may also assign the Treasurer additional duties such as serving on the Building Authority, Library Commission, local development companies, economic development corporations, or acting as administrative agent for tax administration funds
The functions of this office are dictated by state statutes, under the guidance of the Bureau of Local Government Services Audit Division and the State Treasury Department.
Notary Services
Notary services, including the seal, are available in the Bay County Treasurer's office. This is a free service. A Notary is witnessing a signature of a document and not verifying the accuracy of the document being signed. Please do not sign any documents prior to arriving at our office. If you are interested in becoming a Notary Public, please visit the County Clerk's Office on the First Floor of the Bay County Building.
Unclaimed Bay County Checks
Click here to view listing. Updated as of April 21, 2026.
Additional Information
For pages dealing with county millage rates, equalized value reports, taxable value reports, and top taxpayers, see the Bay County Equalization Department's reports collection.
