ESTEVAN — Estevan city council approved the process for taking ownership of several properties with long-standing unpaid taxes during the latest regular meeting on March 10.
The properties, all currently vacant, have gone through extensive efforts to collect outstanding payments before reaching this stage. According to city officials, these properties have been in arrears for several years, and all legal procedures, including notices and outreach attempts, have been exhausted.
Before acquiring the properties, the city sought approval from the Saskatchewan Municipal Board, which ensures fairness in municipal tax enforcement. With this approval secured, the city will now take title of the properties and prepare them for sale through a public tender process. Council emphasized that this step is not taken lightly, as property acquisition due to tax default is a last resort after numerous attempts to arrange payment plans.
While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, several councillors stressed the importance of property owners staying up to date with their tax obligations. They encouraged residents experiencing financial difficulties to seek assistance or payment plans before their properties reach the stage of tax enforcement.
Bylaw on unclaimed personal property passes
City council also has passed the second and third readings of Bylaw 2025-2089, which establishes regulations for handling unclaimed personal property in the city of Estevan. The bylaw sets out clear guidelines for retaining, disposing of, and claiming lost or unclaimed items that come into the city's possession, including those left behind in city-owned facilities or found on properties acquired due to unpaid taxes.
Under the new bylaw, the city is required to retain all unclaimed personal property for 90 days before it becomes city property. After this period, the city may donate the items to a person or organization or sell them at a public auction. If an item remains unsold after an auction, a designated city official will determine how to dispose of it.
If a previous owner comes forward within one year of an item’s sale, they may claim the proceeds, minus costs incurred by the city for storage and auctioning. However, any unclaimed sale proceeds after one year will be transferred to the city's general revenue. Perishable items are exempt from the 90-day rule and may be disposed of as soon as practicable.
The bylaw also applies to unclaimed property found on land acquired by the city due to unpaid taxes. Councillor Shelly Veroba emphasized the importance of public awareness, noting that once the city takes possession of a property, any belongings left inside fall under the bylaw’s provisions. Items not retrieved within 90 days will no longer be claimable.
To enforce the bylaw, designated officers, including the city manager, tax assessor and chief of the Estevan Police Service, have been appointed to oversee the process. They are authorized to delegate responsibilities as needed.
Council highlighted that this bylaw ensures a fair and transparent process for handling unclaimed property while preventing abandoned items from becoming a long-term burden on municipal storage. Residents are encouraged to retrieve any lost or unclaimed property within the allowed timeframe to avoid forfeiture.
Taxpayer granted time extension for payment plan
During the same meeting, a request from a property owner facing potential loss of their home was discussed.
The property owner requested an extension to pay outstanding taxes, outlining the circumstances. The individual proposed a $1,000 monthly payment plan, aiming to clear the debt by Dec. 31, 2026. Council approved the request, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in tax matters to prevent such situations.
