Title
2026 Tax Recovery Public Auction Reserve Bids
Proposed Motion
That Council approve the 2026 Tax Recovery Public Auction Reserve Bids for properties being offered for sale at the public auction on Wednesday September 16th, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion to meet the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.
Purpose
Section 419 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) stipulates that Council must set a reserve bid that is as close as reasonably possible to the market value of each parcel, and any conditions that apply to the sale.
Summary
As required by the MGA, a municipality must annually prepare a tax arrears list showing the parcels of land on which there are tax arrears for more than one year as at March 31. Further to this, any parcel of land shown on the 2025 tax arrears list which remains in arrears as of March 31, 2026, will be offered for sale by public auction between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027 (Attachment 1). Administration has scheduled the 2026 Public Auction date for Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., in Council Chambers at Parkland County Centre, which has been advertised as per the MGA.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
In compliance with Section 417 of the MGA, the Registrar (Land Titles) sends notices to all registered property owners and caveat holders regarding tax notification, stating that if tax arrears are not paid before March 31 in the following year (2026), the municipality will offer the parcel for sale at a public auction. Parkland County provides correspondence, as does the tax recovery company (October 2024, January 2025, April 2025, April 2026 and July 2026) to advise property owners of the pending auction if arrears are not paid in full. Follow-up calls are made to the property owner to discuss potential payment options and to establish what their intentions are.
Financial Impact:
Cost: N/A
Source of Funding: N/A