Weyburn City Council has taken the next step in the tax enforcement process for a long-abandoned property, approving a motion to acquire the title for a property along Government Road under Section 26.1 of the Tax Enforcement Act.
During Monday night’s council meeting, Director of Finance Laura Missal outlined the history of the property, noting that the last tax payment was made in July 2021, and the property has been under tax enforcement since May 25, 2023. Water services were shut off in March 2019, and all required notices and letters to the property owner have gone unanswered.
“With no response received, the Provincial Mediation Board was contacted on June 27, 2024,” Missal explained. “On April 16, 2025, they gave the City of Weyburn consent to make final application for title. The 30-day final notice was sent May 11, 2025, again with no response.”
Council voted in favour of the recommendation to proceed with acquiring the title. Once the transfer is complete, the city will have up to one year to sell the property and apply the proceeds to the outstanding taxes.
The Tax Enforcement Act allows for the City of Weyburn to reject any bid that isn’t sufficient to cover the arrears, penalties and costs. If a bid is rejected, the municipality can then sell the land by private sale at the best price available.
When the sale happens, the proceeds are distributed in a specific order. First, any liens owed to federal government agencies are paid. Then, the costs and expenses incurred by the city during the process of obtaining the title are recovered.
If the property does sell for less than the taxes owed, the remaining funds after costs are distributed among the taxing authorities based on the amount.
Missal, when asked by Mayor Jeff Richards, clarified that any surplus would be returned to the owner if they are able to contact them. If they cannot contact them, then the money would go back to the city.
Councillor Ryan Janke asked whether the property is considered abandoned. Missal confirmed nobody is living at the property.
With no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously.