The City of Weyburn saw a total of over $8.6 million in construction in 2020, in spite of the economic slowdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Building Department presented its annual report at the council meeting on Monday evening, and broke down the details of the developments that took place in the city over the past year.
By category, residential building permits totaled 39, worth $2,385,000; one mobile home permit worth $212,000; five commercial building permits, worth $1,540,000; one industrial permit worth $10,000; one civic building permit worth $4.5 million, for a total of 47 permits worth $8,647,000.
From the residential permits, five dwelling units were created during 2020, along with one legal subdivision; 13 plumbing permits; 23 zoning certificates; and three sign permits for permanent signs.
In other council business, several items were dealt with regarding city property taxes, including taking the action of consent to take title of a property for non-payment of taxes.
With the close of the 2020 taxation year, the city has a list of 91 properties with unpaid taxes worth a total of $199,784.63. These property owners will have 60 days to pay the arrears and applicable fees, after which a lien will be registered against the properties in question.
From the 2019 tax year, there are 57 properties that still have outstanding property taxes. A lien had been registered on these properties on June 1, and as per the Tax Enforcement Act, a six-month notice will be served to the property owners, during which time they can clear the arrears on the property taxes, including the penalties and fees associated with tax enforcement.
If payment is not received by August 1, 2021, a letter will then be sent to the Provincial Mediation Board to request consent of title.
Finance director Laura Missal said most times the arrears for taxes do get paid, but this year one property still has unpaid taxes from 2016 and the City will proceed to acquire the title to the property.
The property has been in tax enforcement proceedings since March 31, 2017, with the tax bill sitting at $3,939.66, after some sporadic payments on the tax bill were made.
Once the city acquires title, they will have a year to sell the property and clear any outstanding taxes, If the property owner still resides in the home, they will become a tenant of the City and will need to pay rent to remain. Once the City sells the property, the tenant will then have to leave.
