The City of Kimberley is currently looking at ways they can best support residents and businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing financial relief alongside initiatives in place from the B.C. Government.
“Staff and Council aim to provide tax and utility relief for residents and businesses facing financial challenges,” said the City of Kimberley.
The following is a list of some of the measures the City has taken to provide financial relief, along with the B.C Government:
- Providing two additional months to pay City utilities;
- Temporary termination of water, sewer, and solid waste fees for vacant commercial and residential property;
- Monitoring expected changes to Provincial legislation;
- Province allowing property tax deferral for residents that qualify;
- Province reducing school tax by 50% for businesses and light-industrial property;
- Businesses with a payroll over $500,000 can defer their Employer Health Tax payments until September 30, 2020.
“In the coming weeks, Council will take steps to give two additional months to pay water, sewer, and garbage fees for the April to June billing period by pushing the penalty date back from June 10th to August 10th.,” added the City of Kimberley. “Details of the change will be noted on the Utility Invoices that will be mailed in mid-April.”
Property owners that have vacant commercial or residential property can apply to the City to have their water, sewer, and solid waste fees temporarily terminated. Those owners can contact the City at 250-427-5311 or [email protected] for full details.
The City said they will continue to be flexible in how and when they must apply penalties for unpaid property taxes with ongoing changes at the B.C. Legislature.
Property tax deferral is allowed, given residents meet the qualification criteria from the Province.
“The program offers a low-interest loan program to help homeowners pay their annual property taxes on their principal residence,” said the City of Kimberley. “Payment can be deferred until the home is sold or can be repaid earlier.”
Eligible property owners include those over the age of 55, as well as families with children at home under the age of 18.
More: Property Tax Deferment (B.C. Government)
“City Staff are monitoring Provincial and Federal Initiatives resulting from the COVID-19 crisis and will provide updates as they become available,” added the City.