County officials: Mall owes $117,000 to Austin Utilities, too

Published 5:30 pm Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The owners of Oak Park Mall owe more money than just the looming $378,170 in unpaid taxes.

The mall also owes about $117,000 to Austin Utilities for its common areas, according to County Coordinator Craig Oscarson.

The mall owners are working to pay $378,170 in delinquent taxes by Friday or the property will forfeit to the county.

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If it forfeits, county commissioners have said they would sell the property as quickly as possible. Oscarson told the county board Tuesday that Austin Utilities requested to add on the unpaid utilities to the sale of the property.

“It’s funny they haven’t shut them off,” Board Chairman Jerry Reinartz said.

An Austin Utilities official recently declined to comment on the Oak Park Mall’s billing status, stating it’s confidential information.

Including the first half of 2013, Oak Park Mall Ltd. Partnership owes $474,846 in unpaid taxes. The group can avoid forfeiture by paying $378,170 in delinquent taxes. With the $117,000 in utilities fees, the mall owners owe more than $591,000 in the community.