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Viking considers quadrupling taxes on derelict properties to encourage cleanups
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Vol. 47, No. 42
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School Awards
Town wants feedback through survey Patricia Harcourt Editor
The Town of Viking is asking residents to give their opinion on a proposed bylaw that deals with empty and/or derelict buildings. The bylaw would create a sub class of unoccupied and derelict buildings that would have their $1,000 annual taxes raised to $4,000. If after three years the taxes, which would then be up to $12,000, weren’t paid, the town would take over the property. The town’s administration and council are distributing a survey on the proposal, which was introduced at council’s meeting in September. There are buildings on main street and residential houses which the town wants to renovate or remove in order to make it more attractive for businesses and families to take up residence. But town council and administration don’t wish to proceed until townspeople are informed of the bylaw’s contents and a consensus has been reached that it is viewed in a favourable light. The draft of a new proposed bylaw was introduced to council Sept. 18. Mayor Jamie Buttner and Councillors Dana Ewashko and Judy Acres all agreed the community needed to be informed of the intent and contents of the proposal. “The Town of Viking has been working with owners of many properties in the community that fall into the unsightly or nuisance properties,” states the proposal to the community. “Unsightly can mean many things but in the bylaw (references to) piles of household garbage, construction waste, and automotive parts are just a few examples,” said Lefsrud. “We have
had good successful communicating with these owners and our Bylaw Officer to see improvements in our community.” The town is asking for “guidance” in determining its next steps to improve properties in the community, now classified as “Sub properties.” Examples given were buildings that were boarded up, not occupied or unfit to live in for various reasons such as the roof has caved in. A new bylaw and the bylaw officer would determine if a building can be occupied again with improvements or is unoccupiable or derelict. The owner of the property would be contacted and asked if the intention is to renovate or sell the building, as well as inform them of the bylaw’s next steps, “if the property does not improve.” Residents are being given a heads up about these next steps as they include efforts to have the property improved. If that doesn’t happen there are penalties that would be enforced regarding the property. When a property is classified as “sub class” under the bylaw its assessment would change with the change in classification. “Because it has now changed to an assessment sub class, we can apply a higher tax rate,” states Lefsrud, in the explanation provided to council. “It could be four times the rate or more,” making the $1,000 tax notice increased to $4,000 per year. If the property is assessed at $40,000 or more the tax rate and assessment would be higher. The owner has several options, including paying the tax notice and Continued on Page 7
Viking School celebrated their annual awards night on Friday, Oct. 11. Above: Vision Credit Union Award: Dale Morrical presents the Vision Credit Union Award to Kora Lefsrud. Below: Grade 10-11 Honour Pin Presentations: From left, a presenter gives Isabella Rotalletti, Sydney Erickson, Barrett Lang and Luke Brooks their Grade 10 and 11 Honour Pins. More on Page 3.