Town of Coaldale sign. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Late fees for taxes or utility payments in Coaldale temporarily eliminated

Apr 1, 2020 | 2:10 PM

COALDALE, AB – Coaldale Town Council has passed new measures it believes will help ease the financial stress on its residents and businesses.

Effective April 1, 2020, penalties associated with late payments for taxes and utilities are being temporarily eliminated.

Administration has been tasked with coming up with new programs and services to assist businesses and at-risk residents.

“The economic health and recovery of our community, and region, are of utmost importance to Council,” says Mayor Kim Craig. “That is why we believe it is important that the Town of Coaldale does its part in contributing to the economic success of our region over the coming days, weeks, and months ahead.”

The full list of provisions passed during this week’s special council meeting is as follows:

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Utilities:

• Waiving late payment penalties for a three-month period (April, May, and June 2020)
• The situation will be reviewed again in July to see if additional utility assistance is required

Taxes:

• Property taxes are now due September 30 instead of the normal deadline of June 30. Notices of assessment will be sent out in May as usual.
• Penalties for non-payment after September 30 will be cut in half.
• The previously-planned two per cent increase of non-residential taxes has been cancelled. There will also be no tax increases for residential properties, which was already the plan.

“We recognize the immense impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our residents and businesses and Council is committed to helping them get through these challenging times,” said Cameron Mills, Manager of Economic and Community Development. “These measures are intended to help ease the cash flow burden that many are presently facing, and we encourage anyone who might need these extra concessions to utilize them.”

More details on utility and tax allowances in Coaldale here.

The Town of Coaldale will still go ahead with its planned capital projects for this year. Those include:

• Main Street Infrastructure Replacement and Revitalization, set to be tendered in April
• Paved pathway project throughout Coaldale, set to be tendered in April
• Civic Square, a multi-use commercial office building, to be awarded in April
• Multi-Use Recreation Centre, detailed design to take place between now and September