TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT MEMORANDUM
MEETING DATE: July 13, 2026 Report No. FIN-26-013
TO: Council
FROM: Ian Irvine, Director of Financial Services
SUBJECT: Tax Prepayment Plan Bylaw
INFORMATION:
The Township has administered a pre-authorized property tax payment program (PAWS) for several years. This program involves taxpayer authorization for the automatic withdrawal of monthly tax instalment payments during the period of August to May. These payments, and any interest earned, are recorded in their property tax account and are applied against the annual property tax levy. Currently, there are approximately 400 taxpayers enrolled in the system.
While not required, the adoption of a bylaw would help to communicate the program parameters. For earned interest, the Township’s Advance Tax Payment Interest Allowance Bylaw specifies the interest calculation for all advance payments however it does not specifically mention advance payments through the PAWS program. The bylaw would also formalize the treatment of credit and debit balances resulting from PAWS balances and the application of the annual property tax levy. This would include the introduction of automatic refunds for credit balances and the collection of outstanding tax balance through an automatic bank withdrawal on the due date.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council give first, second and third reading to Tax Prepayment Plan Bylaw, 2026, No. 3186
Body
REVIEWED BY:
1. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
2. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Tax Prepayment Plan Bylaw, 2026, No. 3186.