A tax claim upset sale held Sept. 27 in Schuylkill County has brought in a record setting amount of money.

Treasurer Linda Marchalk said the sale held at Barefield Outdoor Recreation Complex had a total of $1,777,140 from the sale of more than 160 properties. There were more than 260 bidders among the 318 properties for sale. The event was held at the location because of the pandemic and to accommodate social distancing. Employees of the tax claim and treasurer’s office were there.

“It was our highest and best sale since I’ve been treasurer of this county,” Marchalk, who has been treasurer for six years, said.

The money collected goes to the school districts, county and municipalities. Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said about 65 percent of the money goes to the school district, while the county gets the second highest amount, then the municipalities.

“It gets these properties back on the tax rolls,” he said.

Marchalk said the sale of the properties is “an investment in the county, which is good for everyone.”