Innisfail town council amended the town's 2013 tax rate bylaw before it carried second and third readings but the amendment won't affect the 1.5 per cent increase property owners face this year.
Town council, on March 11, carried first reading of the new tax rate bylaw which called for a 1.5 per cent increase rather than the two per cent increase that was approved during the budget process before the bylaw was brought back to council for final approval on March 25.
But an amendment was required to include a change to the requisition from the seniors foundation, which increased to $20,371 from $17,880.
“When the bylaw first went, Parkland Foundation's financials had not yet been completed so we didn't have their 2013 requisition but by the time second reading came on plate I had gotten the information from Parkland Foundation,” director of corporate services Heather Whymark explained.
Because it isn't a significant increase, residents won't feel the difference on their property tax bills this spring and it won't affect the town's bottom line, Whymark said.
“It is sort of an in-out,” she said. “It doesn't affect our bottom line. We collect it on behalf of the seniors and we remit it to the Parkland Foundation.”
This year the average residential homeowner in Innisfail will see an increase of $22 on their tax bills this spring. The average commercial property owner will see an average increase of $115.
Property tax bills are generally mailed to property owners by May. Property owners have until June 30 to pay their bills. Current taxes not paid on time are subject to an eight per cent penalty. Another four per cent penalty is added to current taxes not paid by September. Taxes still outstanding at the end of the year are subject to an additional 12 per cent penalty.
