Donations save one Light of the Lamb parcel from public auction

Light of the Lamb Ministries was able to save one of its two parcels just before the county’s public auction sale of tax-defaulted properties on March 24.

Property owner and minister Mark Baker said that thanks to donations and extra work in his auto repair business, he was able to pay the back taxes on the church parcel.

The intercessory ministry is at 324 Seventh St. and offers shelter and aid to the homeless. Among the donations was $427 from homeless individuals, Baker said.

“We’re moving forward. We’re going to continue here,” he said.

Baker paid approximately $11,000 in back taxes and fees for the church parcel, said Chad Ward, a Ramona resident who began helping him just before the sale.

The other parcel went on the auction block and was purchased in a credit sale for the minimum bid of $115,000, according to the county treasurer tax-collector’s office. The buyer, Ignacio Escutia from the Lake Forest area, has until April 24 to pay the balance, said Ken Jones with the tax-collector’s office. If he does not, the property goes into default. Ownership will not transfer until the full amount has been paid and recorded, said Jones.

The Bakers owed approximately $50,000 in overdue taxes on their two parcels. The pastor and his wife said they originally thought they were exempt from property taxes because the ministry has nonprofit status but, among other issues, they learned they had to file for a certain exemption because they live on one of the parcels.

Ward and his ABS Legacy organization became involved to assist Light of the Lamb with paperwork and financial and legal issues. Ward said the Bakers are good at what they do, but they were inexperienced at getting all the proper paperwork done in a timely manner. If everything had been completed properly, they would not have been in this situation, he said, and would not have owed taxes.

Ward said he and his association are donating their services to Light of the Lamb.