If you owe taxes in Bancroft, you will need to pay them sooner rather than later.
The town’s budget committee is looking into amending bylaws to allow people only two years to pay off overdue taxes. Under the current bylaw, residents have three years before the town can start the process of putting properties with overdue taxes up for sale. Mayor Paul Jenkins says this is being done because of changes to provincial laws. He says this will also help improve the town’s cash flow.
Jenkins says this will speed up the process of getting residents to pay off outstanding taxes.
As of 2016, more than $1.2-million was owed to the town. Jenkins says this is higher than the province considers acceptable. He says anyone behind on their taxes can set up a payment plan by contacting the town.
The move has yet to be approved by Bancroft Council. If it passes, Treasurer Arthur Smith says the town will send out a notice about the changes to residents.
Smith also says the town would send out a debt notice to residents with outstanding taxes at the two year mark, which they have 30 days to respond to. After that, a tax certificate can be sent out. If taxes aren’t paid in-full within a year of that, the town can move forward with selling the property.