CANTON -- St. Lawrence County lawmakers have scheduled a public hearing for a new law that will put more pressure on those who don’t pay their taxes on time.

At a Monday meeting the county legislature passed a resolution that would make it easier for the county to remove residents from properties it acquires from back taxes.

This law would allow the county to take legal action on individuals occupying properties that have been lost due to delinquent taxes.

“Periodically there are properties that are not turned over to a new owner through the auction process due to actions and behaviors of the prior owner,” the resolution says. The resolution says properties that have been foreclosed upon and are not sold at auction and continue to be occupied by the prior owner “become a liability to the county and could result in unforeseen costs.”

A second resolution passed by the legislature proposes a new law that would deny any bidder who is delinquent in their taxes from bidding at the public auction. It also states that no other person acting as an agent of someone with delinquent taxes will be allowed to bid at the auction.

The new policy would prevent former owners for bidding on the properties they have lost to the county due to delinquent taxes.

Those hoping to buy back their properties would also be forced to do so one month prior to the date of the auction. The date for public auction is also moved to the second Saturday in September under the proposed law.

The county will hold public hearings regarding the proposed law May 4. The new rules would take effect Jan. 1.

Details on the proposals can be seen at http://northcountrynow.com/webfm_send/63