City Foregoing Penalties To Assist Those Cash Strapped By Pandemic

The economic damage COVID - 19 has brought to individuals and businesses is now a little less painful after measures were taken by the City to wave interest and penalties for outstanding utility and tax bills effective April 1st.

“In the past three weeks the extent of the pandemic has become more obvious to us as Administration and citizens in the community…many of our citizens have lost their employment and now rely upon federal wage replacement programs ss any if our businesses are closed or their operations severly curtailed,” finance director Brian Acker said.

Despite the City being impacted Acker said Administration wanted to see how they could provide further assistance to the citizens and businesses of Moose Jaw.

Previously Council approved not disconnecting water for non-paymentt, property seizures for non-payment of taxes was suspended and transit and paratransit was made free.

SEE RELATED - City Moves To Help

In phase two penalties and interest has been waived on outstanding utility bills and property taxes effective April 1st.

The measures will see no interest or penalties assessed on utility bills from April 1st to September 30th.

For property taxes the City will extend the same treatment apply to property taxes with no interest or penalties applied from April 1st to September 30th.

Staff in collections will be reassigned to help set up payment plans.

Despite the apparent property tax holiday Acker said those who could pay were encouraged to do so because the City still had protective services - fire and police - to pay for.

“For those who can pay your taxes we certainly need you to pay your taxes,” Acker said.

No incentive is planned at this time for those who pay their taxes during the period to encourage payment.

The cost of not charging interest is $260,000 with the amount being made up from reduced expenditures.

The City is no longer enforcing plugging meters Downtown - MJ Independent File Photo

An additional measure will see the City no longer enforcing payment at parking meters.

City manager Jim Puffalt said there was not many people parking Downtown at the present time anyhow due to businesses either closed or unable to allow customers direct access to their businesses.