Battleford introduces tax payment plan for struggling property owners

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Participants will make payments toward outstanding taxes while continuing to pay their current taxes. Sylvester said that requirement is key to the program’s success because it prevents property owners from falling further behind.

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“This will support both the town and people getting back on track. We don’t have to go through the provincial mediation board to take their home, and we also get regular revenue streams from these people that we weren’t getting previously.”

Sylvester previously piloted the policy with three property owners. He said all three have made consistent monthly payments.

“I have seen that these work. These are people that are all in tax enforcement processes after a lien has been put on the property.”

Mayor Ames Leslie said empathy is important when residents are struggling financially.

“I don’t think anybody wakes up in the morning and says, ‘I’m not paying my taxes today.’ This is a tool that we’ve been asking for within the municipal process to help people make some payments … It sounds like from the pilot project, it went over very well.”

Leslie said the town appreciates property owners who pay their taxes on time because those funds are needed to provide municipal services.

“We know there’s people struggling out there, and this is hopefully one of those ways we can help them stay afloat,” Leslie said.

Town administration plans to provide updates on the program twice a year, with the goal of maintaining a success rate close to 100 per cent.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com