In Elk Point: Elks not forgiven on Hall taxes as daycare is threatened

*A previous edition of the story said the Play 2 Learn daycare is closing, which is an error. It has been corrected.

In Elk Point, a tax is a tax

Elk Point Elks representatives Don Pilisko and Lawrence Pidluzny visited a recent Town Council meeting to request forgiveness for penalties on back taxes, but their request was denied with a caveat.

Three years ago, the Elks put their hall up for sale, and it was purchased in 2017 by a local business, Play 2 Learn Daycare.

However, the business has gone into receivership.

As the Elks remain on the title as the mortgagor, the building will be returning to their ownership – with another mortgagee on the title and three years of back taxes and fees.

Pilisko says the Elks are willing to pay the back taxes but would like to have the fees forgiven.

In the building purchase agreement, the Elks provided a loan to the purchaser with a provision that the Elks maintain the use of a downstairs Lodge Room for 15 years in lieu of interest.

As Mayor Lorne Young and Councilor Dwayne Yaremkevich are members of the Elks Lodge #460, they were excused from the table during the delegation presentation and the discussion.

Deputy Mayor Debra McQuinn chaired the meeting. She expressed sympathy to the situation, telling the Elks, “Your goodwill was excellent for the business.”

With her background in banking and loans, she felt that the Elks “were ill-advised on the title.” In later council discussion, she spoke in favor of waiving the penalties as the Elks “are a non-profit organization, philanthropically driven but now held liable through an agreement that they had in transfer of title.”

Legislation under the MGA (Municipal Government Act) identifies penalties as part of the taxes, not as separate fees.

Previous requests by other landowners to Elk Point Town Council for forgiveness of taxes or penalties have been denied, so although council was understanding, members felt that they had to be consistent in enforcing payments, but they would allow installments.

About 25 members belong to Elk Point Elks Lodge #460, a benevolent, non-profit organization.

Their purpose is to raise funds for distribution to local and national organizations. In the past year, they have purchased a wheelchair for Heritage Lodge as well as donating to the airport, minor ball, minor hockey, and other organizations.

There are five properties in Elk Point scheduled to be publicly auctioned on Sept. 18 unless their back taxes are paid.