During a Special Meeting held December 14, 2021, Penticton City Council, acting on recommendations of the BC Ombudsperson, passed a motion to reimburse the former owner of a home sold during a 2017 tax sale $140,922.99.
“On behalf of Penticton City Council, we wish to deliver an apology to ‘Ms. Wilson’ concerning the tax sale of her former home,” said Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki. “The process by which ‘Ms. Wilson’s’ home was sold followed an unfortunate set of circumstances that occurred as a result of provincial legislation. The City of Penticton acknowledges the part that it played in this process and is committed to working to improve provincial legislation related to property tax sales. There was however another side to this story and we are disappointed in the Ombudsperson’s conduct and his report.”