By Lyonel Doherty
Every little bit helps.
So said Town councillor Aimee Grice on Monday when council passed the 2020 Tax Rates bylaw.
Among other things, the bylaw claws back property taxes to zero (from nine per cent) and outlines due dates and penalties.
Chief Financial Officer Doug Leahy said the impact on the average home valued at approximately $400,000 is a decrease of $3 this year (compared to last year).
But he noted that taxes the Town collects on behalf of other groups are going up by nearly $70. For example, regional district taxes are increasing $38, while library taxes are going up $9. Taxes for hospitals, schools, and police are also increasing.
Leahy said the average business will see its municipal taxes go up by nearly $50. Businesses will pay an increase of $125 for the regional district, an additional $24 in library taxes, and $82 for school and police, for a total increase of nearly $300.
Grice said all of these support programs during COVID-19 make a difference.
She said this was evident during the recent parks and recreation AGM when it was disclosed that a person (in tears) won a $25 gift certificate that was destined to buy groceries.
“Although sometimes the things we are doing seem insignificant, to somebody that’s maybe been out of work for six weeks, or a single parent who is trying to support their family, every little bit counts.”
Grice said it’s important for councillors to model the behaviour that they are asking from residents.
“If we are able to make our tax payments on time, it’s our responsibility to do that and model that behaviour.”
