KAMSACK, Sask. — A large-scale property auction aimed at reducing the Town of Kamsack's inventory of municipally owned land generated more than $120,000 in sales and drew significant interest from buyers.
The town partnered with the Yorkton Auction Centre this year after searching for a more effective way to market properties that had accumulated through tax enforcement proceedings and voluntary surrenders over several decades.
"We end up having 139 that we tried to sell," Chief Administrative Officer Barry Hvidston said in an interview prior to the final results being compiled. "We're maintaining a lot of these lots."
Kamsack has acquired roughly 250 properties over the years through tax enforcement and surrenders. Municipal officials had previously relied largely on word-of-mouth efforts to attract buyers but decided to explore a public auction as a way to reach a wider audience.
Of the 139 properties offered, 52 sold for a combined $120,150. The auction package included four homes obtained through tax enforcement, while most commercial parcels and properties considered problematic were withheld from the sale.
Before the final figures were available, Hvidston said the early results suggested the initiative had achieved its primary goal.
The town considers the auction a positive outcome not only because of the sales completed but also because of the attention it brought to the community.
"We believe this auction was a success because it provided some great publicity to the community, along with selling some property," Hvidston said.
Proceeds from the sales will first be applied to costs associated with the tax enforcement process. Any funds remaining after those expenses and outstanding tax arrears are addressed will be distributed according to provincial requirements, including potential payments to former property owners if they can be located.
While the town continues to hold a substantial number of properties, officials say the auction marked an important step toward reducing maintenance obligations and returning vacant land to private ownership, where it can contribute to future development and investment in the community.
