Council Highlights - April 28, 2020

Council Meeting

April 28, 2020

Council encourages ongoing support for local businesses during COVID-19 pandemic

On behalf of Council and City staff, Mayor Gord Milsom thanked the many Westside businesses that have modified their service delivery models to ensure safe provision of essential and priority services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Milsom encouraged residents to continue to support local businesses as best they can during these challenging times. He also applauded initiatives to encourage support of local businesses, providing the West Kelowna Warriors’ West Kelowna Community Night as an example. The April 30 event encourages residents to purchase take out or delivery from a number of local restaurants. For every order over $30 from participating businesses, the Warriors organization will donate $10 to the local food bank. Details are available at www.westkelownawarriors.ca.

Council recognizes community for continuing to do its part during the COVID-19

On behalf of Council and City staff, Mayor Milsom thanked frontline workers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and RCMP officers for continuing to serve the community during the novel coronavirus pandemic. He also thanked transportation, delivery, food service and grocery workers, pharmacists and lab workers, teachers and daycare providers, gas station attendants and many of the unsung heroes who are continuing to provide service during these difficult times. Finally, Mayor Milsom thanked residents for doing a good job of following the directives of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. “Thank you for staying home when possible and maintaining safe social distancing of two meters,” he stated. “It is so important that we follow these steps until we hear otherwise.”

Council amends 2020 property tax penalty date to help ease financial hardship during COVID-19

West Kelowna Council resolved unanimously to delay the penalty on all property tax classes until October 1, 2020. With 2020 property taxes due on July 2, the City would normally have charged a penalty of 10 per cent effective July 3. The City will instead charge the tax penalty on October 1, for the 2020 tax year only. The City encourages residents and businesses who can best manage their cash flow during this unprecedented time to please pay their taxes prior to July 2. As the City also manages its cash flow during the implications of COVID-19, even paying a portion of property tax prior to July 2 will help as opposed to submitting late payments. The Mayor also noted that the property tax deferment program from the Province of British Columbia might be an option for some. The program is available to property owners who are 55 and older, a surviving spouse of any age, or care for a person with disabilities. Full program details are available from the provincial government’s website at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes/annual-property-tax/defer-taxes.

Property owners are also strongly encouraged to apply for their Homeowner Grant as soon as they receive their property tax notice or they may be subject to a penalty on the whole tax bill if missed or submitted late. Homeowners should be aware of how to apply for a grant online, particularly with the challenges of using an Apple operating system. Google Chrome is the recommended Internet browser to avoid unnecessary challenges when submitting the grant application. The City highly recommends that applicants do not apply for their Homeowner Grant using a mobile device to ensure the grant is processed. More information is available on the City’s website at www.westkelownacity.ca/taxes.

Temporary borrowing bylaw adopted to guard against pandemic-related revenue shortfalls

West Kelowna Council adopted a Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw, which will allow the municipality to access a temporary loan of up to $6 million to provide funding to cover any potential shortfalls in revenue during the COVID-19 crisis. The funding will allow the City to continue to provide essential and priority services. The City of West Kelowna normally receives about 96 per cent of property tax payments by the tax deadline in July, with the majority of the remaining four per cent in late payments collected before September.

2020 Tax Rate Bylaw adopted

The City of West Kelowna adopted the 2020 Tax Rate Bylaw, which completed the budgeting process for the current year. The tax rate bylaw includes the 2020 tax increase reduction from 4.8 to 2.8 per cent. Chief Administrative Officer Paul Gipps stated that the City was able to find the two per cent savings through a hiring freeze on most positions, reduced service levels in some departments, such as recreation programming, for example, due to COVID-19 social distancing and gathering size restrictions, and a delay in some projects. The City of West Kelowna has also ceased most casual and student assignments for the year and has re-assigned permanent staff to those essential services and priority areas that have required increased attention due to COVID-19.

The adoption of the 2020 Tax Rate Bylaw permits staff to begin preparing tax notices for release before the end of May. Taxes will be due July 2 for all who can afford to pay. Those facing financial hardships during the COVID-19 can pay before October 1 without any worry of the 10-per cent penalty until then.