Flin Flon city council is cracking down on tax-evading businesses and owners of derelict homes.
Council on Tuesday passed initial reading of a bylaw that authorizes the city to apply taxes owed by a business to secondary properties associated with that business.
A business that involves both a retail location and a storage garage, for instance, could see any outstanding taxes from its main location applied to the garage.
In situations where a business involves multiple properties, the city could apply overdue taxes to any combination of the lands as long as the total charge does not exceed the arrears.
The bylaw would not allow the city to apply outstanding taxes to a property belonging to a business owner but not associated with the business.
The bylaw will not become law unless it passes two additional readings. That could happen as early as Aug. 19.
Another tool
Council also endorsed final reading of a bylaw amendment that gives the city another tool to collect outstanding fines related to derelict buildings.
Under the city’s existing derelict building bylaw, properties must be maintained to a certain standard. If that isn’t being done, fines can be levied.
Tuesday’s amendment lets the city apply any outstanding fines to the actual taxes for the property in question.
