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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFSD-029-21Clarington Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: May 31, 2021 Report Number: FSD-029-21 Submitted By: Trevor Pinn, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer Reviewed By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO By-law Number: File Number: Resolution#: GG-382-21 Report Subject: Unsuccessful Tax Sale Recommendation: 1. That Report FSD-029-21 be received; 2. That Council hereby directs the Treasurer to register a Notice of Vesting for the property known as Roll No. 18 17 010 050 10420 0000; Highway 2; PIN 26608- 0089(LT); PT LT 25 CON 2 DARLINGTON AS IN N78601 (SECONDLY) pursuant to subsections 379(5b) and (7.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001; and 3. That the Treasurer be authorized, under Section 354(2) and (3) of the Municipal Act 2001 to write-off taxes as uncollectible and charge back the proportionate amounts under Section 353(2) and (3) to the Region of Durham and the Province of Ontario. Municipality of Clarington Report FSD-029-21 Report Overview Page 2 The property known as 0 Highway 2 Roll No 1817 010 050 10420 located in Courtice was advertised for tax sale on March 11, 2021. After receiving no tender bids, the tax sale process was deemed unsuccessful under Part XI of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Treasurer believes it is in the best interest of the Municipality to vest the property pursuant to subsections 379(5b) and (7.1). The uncollectible taxes would be required to be written off and the property would become exempt from taxation. 1. Background 1.1 In 2012, the property known as 1912 Highway 2 was expropriated to build the Highway 418 on -ramp. Through the severance process the subject property, now known, as 0 Highway 2 was created. The property is landlocked and is classed by MPAC as Commercial Vacant Land (Attachment 1) It is zoned C6, a highway commercial designation in the rural area. The Official Plan designates the property as Environmental Protected and is within the Natural Heritage System of the Greenbelt. 1.2 A Tax Arrears Lien was registered on May 23, 2019 due to outstanding taxes dating back to 2011. This property was eligible to be sold by public tender in May 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tax sale processes were placed on hold deferring the timelines until the emergency order was lifted. The tax sale was scheduled for Thursday, March 11, 2021, in which no tender bids were received. 1.3 Due to an unsuccessful tax sale, the Municipality has two options. The Municipality can re -advertise the property for tax sale within two years of the tax sale date or register a Notice of Vesting. 1.4 It is unlikely this property would sell if re -advertised for tax sale due to the property being landlocked and environmentally protected. Re -advertising will incur additional expenses that would ultimately be paid by the Municipality if no successful tender bids are received. For these reasons, it is recommended that Council approve the Notice of Vesting. 2. Financial Impact 2.1 As of May 14, 2021, the outstanding amount owing on the property is $81,538.27, broken down as follows: Total outstanding taxes $18,253.00 Total unpaid charges added to the roll (Note 1) 31,373.11 Total outstanding penalties 31,912.16 Total outstanding arrears for the property (Note 2) $81,538.27 Municipality of Clarington Report FSD-029-21 2.3 Page 3 2.1.1. (Note 1) Unpaid charges include professional fees for conducting the tax sale process and a property standards charge for an extensive property clean up. 2.1.2. (Note 2) Additional professional fees would be added to finalize the Notice of Vesting. Under Section 353(2) and (3) of the Municipal Act, 2001, the taxes written off, as uncollectible can be charged back in its proportionate share as follows: Municipality of Clarington Regional Municipality of Durham Province of Ontario (School Boards) $66,878.89 6,678.36 7,446.97 It is recommended that the Municipality of Clarington's share be written off using the Unclassified Admin —Tax W/O account 100-21-211-00000-7212. 3. Concurrence 3.1 This report has been reviewed by the Director of Planning and Development Services who concurs with the recommendation. 4. Conclusion 4.1 It is respectfully recommended that Council directs the Treasurer to register a Notice of Vesting, for the taxes to be written off and the proportionate share be charged back to the Region of Durham and the Province of Ontario. Staff Contact: Jessica James, CMRP(A), Manager of Taxation Services, 905-623-3379 ext. 2609, ijames(a)-clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1 — Aerial photo of 1817 010 050 10420 Generated: January 28, 2021 1 For Current Information Contact the Municipality of Clarington