At their last meeting of the year, Battleford town council members cancelled a total of $4,309.11 in unpaid utility bills ranging from $39.50 to $410.33. The outstanding bills will be forwarded to a collection agency, unless they are paid by the end of the year.
Town Administrator Sheryl Ballendine said council goes through this process two or three times a year, but that could change if they look into making landlords responsible for their tenant's utility bills.
It's something councillors have talked about numerous times over the last several years.
The City of North Battleford has made it mandatory for the landlord's name to be on renters' utilities, said Ballendine.
"It's up to them to deal with it through their rent," she explained.
Ninety-five per cent of the utilities cancelled by the Town of Battleford are owed by renters, Ballendine said. If the unpaid accounts are in the name of the property owners, they can be added to their property taxes. Some of the amounts are the result of property changing hands before a final reading has taken place, she explained.
Councillor David George said, "I don't know if they realize or even care, when they go to collections, that goes on their credit list."
Council will be looking at the issue in their municipal services committee meetings in the new year.
Town council also cancelled some utilities credits, all for $10 or less.
"We don't generally issue a cheque for $10 or less," said Ballendine.
She added there were some that could be transferred to other accounts.
Council also approved 43 property tax cancellations totalling $30,450.86 in municipal taxation, mostly for new homes in the tax exemption incentive program.
