Property Tax Arrears Still Growing

Despite all of the talk of a bright future and upcoming development expanding the tax base there is still a present day reality and that is the growth in tax arrears.

In the quarterly reports ending December 31, 2019 the continued year over year growth in the value of property tax liens or in tax arrears payment plans continues to grow following a three year upwards trend.

Total property tax arrears has grown from $591,111 in December 2017 to $934.059 in December 2018 to $1,050,698 in December 2019. This represent a 77.74 percent year over year increase from December 31, 2017 over the three year period.

The growing year over year tax arrears from Decemeber 31, 2017 to December 2019. - Source City of Moose Jaw

Meanwhile the amount of property tax that is receivable - unpaid was down slightly - from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019. On December 31, 2018 the total outstanding property tax receivable (including current and arrears) was $3,029,255 whereas the amount dropped to $2,993,347 on December 31, 2019.

It needs to be noted here during this period a substantial tax arrear owing for the Grant Hall Hotel was paid off when it was sold to Carpere Hotels. Carpere Hotels is part of the group - Carpere Canada - that has signed a memorandum of understanding with the City and is in the process of acquiring approximately 780 acres of land plus exclusive rights to develop the Southeast Industrial Park.

Under Saskatchewan law property taxes are in arrears if they are outstanding after December 31 in the year they were levied.

Property Taxes Owing as well as Total Property Tax Arrears year over year on December 31st - source City of Moose Jaw