File photo: Dale Boyd/Osoyoos Times
Dale Boyd
Osoyoos Times
The Town of Osoyoos voted Monday to delay property tax payments until Sept. 18, and rural water user payments until Aug. 15 with no penalties, due to the financial hit many are taking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are currently in a good position financially to be able to support a later tax due date for 2020 and would be able to maintain operations and cash flows,” said Jim Zakall, director of financial services.
Mayor Sue McKortoff noted Osoyoos has been in good financial shape for some time, crediting Zakall’s work. She inquired about the town’s ability to take out a line of credit, which the municipality can, but Zakall said it was not necessary at this point.
“The deferral comes without penalty. The taxes will remain the same, you will just have a longer time to pay them,” said Coun. CJ Rhodes.
Council passed their five-year financial plan at the the April 6 regular meeting as well, with director of financial services noting that council has the ability to approve changes to the plan at any point due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy.
Rural Water Bills deferred
Council voted to defer water user payments for the Osoyoos Water District, moving the due date for payments to Aug. 15.
“This (June 15 payment date) in a normal environment is difficult for some of our farming community as revenues are not usually coming in yet,” Zakall said.
The delay will give water district users “a little more time to pay their utility bill before a late payment penalty would be applied,” Zakall said.
The council meeting on April 6 was not open to the public, but live streamed online with councillors practising social distancing and trying to keep the meeting short.
