After a long discussion, Town council has set a due date and penalties for property taxes in Oliver.
Property taxes are due July 2 with a one per cent penalty applied on July 3, and (if not paid) a four per cent penalty applied October 1.
Council discussed the importance of property owners paying their property taxes on time as the Town must submit its own payment for taxes due (approximately $1.9 million) whether the funds have been received or not.
Taxes collected are for regional district services, the hospital district and BC Assessment. School tax payments are due December 2020.
During the discussion, Councillor Dave Mattes said the one per cent penalty is “kind of meaningless” on a tax bill of $1,800, for example. Therefore, he favoured a five per cent penalty on Aug. 15 and another five per cent on Oct. 15.
Councillor Aimee Grice supported Mattes’ suggestion.
But Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said he would rather see just one penalty at five per cent.
Councillor Petra Veintimilla said she thought a 10 per cent total penalty was a “bit harsh” at this time.
