Anniston Federal building among properties facing possible tax auction

If delinquent property owners do not pay their Storm Drainage Fee in Anniston soon, the property will go into a tax sale auction on May 5th.

Under legislation  that was passed last April, any city or county has the right to levy the Storm Drainage Fee. Anniston is one of the first to put this bill to use.

The federal building at the corner of 12th and Noble Street could be auctioned off in a few weeks if their fee isn’t paid in time. The building, along with hundreds more homes and churches are delinquent.

City of Anniston employees have spent months trying to contact people who owe money.

After months of work, over 300 storm drainage fees have not been paid.

Former Anniston city councilman Ben Little a church pastor is against the storm drain fee. He is furious his church had to pay the standard $10, plus a late fee that totaled to $174.

Little said people who are exempt from paying property taxes should also be exempt from paying this storm drainage fee.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers owes the most money to the city at $16,000. They are currently in the process of figuring out how to pay that bill.

Once the properties are auctioned off, that does not mean delinquent payers are off the hook. The money will still be owed and will only accrue more interest over time.