State v. Vickery

We allowed review in this case to determine the priority between a City of Portland (City) nuisance abatement assessment lien, under a city charter which states that municipal assessment liens shall have priority over all other liens and encumbrances, and a prior recorded mortgage in favor of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). We hold that the City’s lien has priority and reverse the Court of Appeals.

In May of 1979, defendants David and Joan Vickery purchased a house and lot within the city limits of Portland. To finance the purchase, the Vickerys entered into a mortgage agreement…