By Brenna Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

FLORENCE - No one made a winning bid for Ron Epling's former house.

Florence City Council Tuesday rejected all five bids it received for Triple Crown house once owned by Epling, the former city finance director who stole millions from city coffers.

"The one bid that was even within the ballpark was withdrawn," said Councilman Dale Stephens, "so the rest of them are totally unacceptable."

The city is trying to sell the $700,000 home to try to recover some of the nearly $5 million that Epling took before his thefts were uncovered in 2002.

Epling, who pleaded guilty to 35 counts of theft, died last fall while serving 16 years in prison.

Last month, the city announced it had recovered $4.1 million in a settlement, which included the house prosecutors said was paid for with city money.

After holding an open house at the 4,579-square-foot home, the city received five bids.

The city would not release any details about the bids.

"The bids are part of a continuing process, they should remain confidential and are not to be released," said city attorney Hugh Skees.

In rejecting the bids, council followed the recommendation of Community Development Director Rick Lunnemann.

The city will now "examine all possible options" about how to sell the house, Lunnemann said. The city could ask for new bids, try to sell it by owner or hire a Realtor.

Florence won the house in settlement of a lawsuit against Epling's widow, Billie K. Epling.

Florence filed the suit seeking Ron Epling's assets including the house, a condo in Triple Crown, several cars, bank accounts and a chain of hair salons.

Billie Epling agreed to pay the city $745,000 for its claim to the hair salons, and to sell the city the house for $1.

She was allowed to keep the condo.

Billie Epling moved out of the Triple Crown house in May.

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E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com