ELLSWORTH -- The city of Ellsworth will be giving back the proceeds of a home it foreclosed on and sold to it’s former Owner.

The 6–0 vote at last night’s Council meeting comes after weeks of controversy.

The home on Fifth Street, previously owned by Kerry Karst, who inherited it from his family, was foreclosed on because of unpaid taxes and sold at public auction in 2023.

When it was sold, the city had a surplus of more than 117 thousand dollars.

City councilor Steve O’Halloran ramped up a campaign to return the money to Karst.

Other councilors have been working to find a way to return the money legally since state statute says it’s illegal for a city to give public funds to a private entity.

Ellsworth Resident Rebecca Maddocks Wilbur said:

"I say if you can make it right, make i

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