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MD of Bighorn defers property tax payments until end of August

MD of Bighorn property owners now have an extra 60 days to pay residential and non-residential property taxes
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BIGHORN – In an effort to help MD of Bighorn residents financially struggling right now, elected officials passed a bylaw deferring property tax payments until the end of August.

Taxes are typically due at the end of June, but Reeve Dene Cooper and councillors made the decision in May to allow an extra 60 days for residential and non-residential property tax payments.

“This will allow residents and businesses more time to pay their taxes without penalty,” MD director of finance Shaina Tutt said.

The decision comes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has seen 18 confirmed cases in the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 region, which includes Exshaw, Canmore, Dead Man’s Flats, Lac des Arcs and Harvie Heights – all reported as recovered as of Monday (May 25).

Since the the first case of the virus in the province, the government's public health response has forced mass business shutdowns after Alberta declared a public state of health emergency in mid-March. As a result, municipalities across the Bow Valley have been trying to find ways to help their residents and local businesses.

With the extra 60-day extension for property tax payments in the MD, officials are hoping it provides a little relief. 

“Basically we run very resourcefully and very carefully – not because we want to, but because we have to,” Cooper said.

The MD already set this year’s municipal property tax rates after approving the 2020 budget earlier this year. Notable changes included a 2.8 per cent decrease in the municipal residential tax rate and the 2.3 per cent decrease in the non-residential municipal tax rate.

“Council has reduced the [municipal] tax rate to coincide with the 2020 budget requirements for operations and capital projects. The intention is to collect only those monies needed to provide regular services to our ratepayers and not collect a surplus beyond our budgeted financial requirements,” Tutt said.

While the municipal tax rate has decreased, the financial director explained some tax bills received may not reflect a lower amount than previous years. Tutt said reasons include either there was an increase in the requisitioned amounts for Bow Valley Regional Housing, for example, or an increase in the assessed value of the property.

But officials are hopeful with the overall municipal tax decrease and deferred due date for property taxes will help.

“Everything helps a little bit and this is a little bit – I’m hoping with the things inside my control and other things in other people's control, it can add up to be sufficient and meaningful,” Cooper previously told the Outlook.

Earlier this year, council also made the decision to waive late fee for residents and businesses in Exshaw, Dead Man’s Flats and Harvies Heights if they could not afford their utility bills – a cost that typically carried a six per cent late fee. The utilities late payment deferral was set to June 1.

Go to mdbighorn.ca for more information on utilities and tax payments.

Follow RMOToday.com's COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.

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