BONNYVILLE – Who should be on the hook for covering property taxes when a home picks up and takes off in the middle of the night?
This was the question on the minds of elected officials in the Town of Bonnyville on March 22, after administration requested council approve bad debt write-offs related to outstanding property taxes accrued by three mobile home units that no longer reside within the municipality.
When owners plan to remove their manufactured homes from the municipality, they are required to notify the Town of Bonnyville’s Planning Department to obtain a development permit and contact the Property Tax Department to have their property taxes prorated.
Council heard this is not always what happens, however.
“There have been three manufactured homes removed from Sportsman Park where the Town was not notified, and as such there are balances owing for taxes on the Property Roll Accounts,” Renee Stoyles, General Manager of Corporate Services, told council.
“As the Town does not know where the property owners or properties have relocated, these taxes are uncollectable,” she explained.
Properties that rolled out of Stalls 29, 57, and 94, owed $198, $1,301 and $165 for a combined total of $1,664 in unpaid tax debt.
Administration requested that the total owed be expensed to bad debts in the 2022 financials.
Asking a question that seemed to be on many councillors minds, Mayor Elisa Brosseau said, “Is there any onus that goes on to the property owner for not notifying the town?”
Stoyles acknowledged that while the Town should be notified when manufactured homes are moved in or out of the municipality, she indicated sometimes the park owners may not be aware if a tenant has left with their unit.
The mayor further inquired if the landowner is responsible for outstanding taxes. To which Stoyles informed council there is no bylaw that would make the private owner of the land responsible for any unpaid property debts of the tenant.
However, the outstanding debt will be sent to collections, confirmed Stoyles, adding that “If they do come back to town, we'll make sure that this is reminded.”
While council was hesitant to make a motion that would write off the bad debts, Coun. Brian McEvoy ultimately did, which council unanimously supported.
“And I will leave it with staff and administration to do their best,” McEvoy added.
