DIDSBURY - Town council has given first reading to proposed updates to the tax penalties bylaw and sent them to the strategic planning committee for further consideration.
The move came by way of motion at the recently regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and on YouTube.
“Since 2020, council moved the tax deadline to August 31 to provide more time for taxpayers to submit their payment before being penalized,” chief administrative officer Ethan Gorner said in a briefing note to council.
“For the current year, administration is proposing changing that deadline to June 30 to better manage cash flow for the municipality.”
To change the deadlines, a change to the current tax penalty bylaw would be required.
In 2022, the tax penalty was imposed at five per cent on September 1, October 1 and November 1.
The updated bylaw would see the five per cent penalty imposed on each of July 1, September 1 and November 1, giving 60 days between penalties to pay unpaid taxes.
In the past the tax penalty bylaw was combined with the tax rate bylaw into one bylaw. The proposed update would separate the two bylaws, with the tax penalty bylaw remaining in effect until reviewed or updated, and the tax rate bylaw being set annually as required under the Municipal Government Act.
The strategic planning committee will review the proposed changes and bring back a recommendation to council.
