LOWVILLE — Owners of 171 tax-delinquent parcels have less than three weeks to pay back taxes before Lewis County forecloses on their properties.

That figure — which includes multiple delinquent parcels owned by a few farmers — is a little higher than usual, according to officials in the county treasurer’s office.

Late-payment fees and a $150 surcharge have been added to each of the delinquent tax bills from January 2011.

Those who don’t pay before the 4:30 p.m. Feb. 4 deadline may still reclaim their parcels before the annual county tax auction in May. However, after the deadline, owners will be required to pay all of those taxes and fees and any delinquent taxes from January 2012, plus an extra 10 percent of that amount as an auctioneer’s fee and 5 percent of the parcel’s full value to redeem their properties.

The county foreclosed on 65 parcels last year and sold 33 at the tax auction.

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