REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: April 21, 2020 Report No. FIN-20-006
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Ian Irvine, Director of Financial Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Alternative Tax Collection Scheme
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council gives first, second and third readings, and final adoption of Alternative Municipal Tax Collection Scheme Bylaw, 2020, No. 2998 as authorized under section 9 of Ministerial Order No. M083 - Order of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General/ Emergency Program Act.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Community Charter s.235
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Engage, respect and respond to the needs of the community
BACKGROUND:
Many in the community are facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staff have reviewed options available to the Township that could provide some financial relief while at the same time balancing the financial requirements to continue providing many services upon which the community relies. Until recently, the Township and other local municipalities were awaiting overall direction from the Provincial Government.
In an 'initial circular' dated April 2, 2020, the Province encouraged "good financial management, including: maintaining a strong level of cash assets, prioritizing core municipal operations, and possibly deferring non-essential capital expenditures until this event passes." While there was no indication whether further Provincial programs would be announced to assist, the letter did refer to additional circulars.
Subsequently, on April 16, 2020, the Provincial Government announced support for business and local governments. Included in the release were a reduction to the school tax rates and the postponement to October 1 of late payment penalties for commercial properties only. There was no mention of relief measures or tools for taxpayers of residential properties. At the time of this report, it appears that any further decisions around the treatment ...
Click here for full text