The number of tax liens scheduled to go on the auction block on Monday has been cut almost in half.

Originally Lawrence County Treasurer Stephen Burcham was to put 403 liens on parcels that were at least two years delinquent on taxes for the sale.

But owners of 117 parcels have either paid their taxes in full or set up a payment plan on contract.

That translates to $123,484 in back taxes and penalties that have been paid.

The remaining 286 parcels have taxes and penalties of $624,959 on them.

This is the 11th tax lien sale put on by Burcham in the past six years. Burcham started the tax lien sales where individuals or companies purchase the liens with the eventual possibility of owning the property through foreclosure

The lien owners must wait a year before they can begin foreclosure proceedings. Through foreclosures, properties that have become eyesores have been razed.

Between the 10 public sales and 35 negotiated sales with outside companies $5.8 million has been collected.

The sale starts at 10 a.m. Monday in the third floor commission chambers.

Anyone wishing to redeem his or her property must do it before the sale begins.