Whitehorse residents who still owe the city property taxes are being given a heads up before their names get published in the newspaper.
The Yukon’s Assessment and Taxation Act requires the annual publication of a list of people who still owe money, but first it has to be approved by city council.
Right now the 2016 list includes 64 properties that owe more than $155,000 in taxes, penalties and interest.
At this time in 2015, 85 properties owed $160,000.
The 2016 list is expected to be published Feb. 17, financial services manager Val Braga told council on Jan. 9.
Anyone who pays their bill before then won’t appear in the paper.
If the taxes aren’t paid in 60 days homeowners will start facing more fees, Braga said. After two and a half years the city will have title to the property and can sell it off at fair market value.
“In the time I’ve been here the city has never gotten this far with any properties,” Braga said. “We have taken title and when people come in and talk to us, make payment, we turn it back over to them.”
The city is also preparing to write off nearly $10,000 worth of unpaid fees.
All the collection procedures have been exhausted and the city is essentially giving up on ever seeing that money.
Some of the unpaid bills date back to 2012 and include businesses with unpaid tipping fees and individuals who still owe money at the Canada Games Centre.
Eleven businesses and individuals are on that list, which also needs to be approved by council.
If any of that money does end up being repaid, the city’s financial records will be updated, Braga said.