Castlegar residents should receive their property tax notices in the mail this week.
The City of Castlegar is strongly encouraging residents to pay their taxes on time if they can. But if you can’t, property tax penalties will be delayed until Oct. 1 as part of the City of Castlegar’s COVID-19 response plan.
“Receiving property tax payments on time helps the city maintain a solid financial position so it does not have to borrow to maintain the city’s essential service,” explained a press release from the city.
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Homeowners are also encouraged to apply for their homeowner grant on time to ensure the reduction is reflected on their account.
The City of Castlegar collects taxes on behalf of other government agencies, so only 46 per cent of your bill actually goes to the city, while 18 per cent goes to the Regional District of Central Kootenay, 32 per cent to the province for education, three per cent to the hospital district, and the remaining one per cent to other authorities.
The city provided a breakdown of where property taxes are spent.
For the city’s portion on an average Castlegar house, $236 goes to general government expenses, $69 for the infrastructure investment levy, $207 for transportation services, $64 for winter road maintenance, $76 for development services and economic development, $83 for fire services, $204 for policing, $61 for cultural services, $82 for parks and playgrounds and $15 for cemetary operations.
“We are asking residents to take advantage of the online options this year to support physical distancing and ensure the safety of our community,” said the city’s director of finance, Ola Oladele.
You can complete the entire process online by claiming your homeowner grant at castlegar.ca/HOG and paying property taxes through your financial institution’s online bill payments option.
The city is also working on a credit card payment solution which should be in place later this month.
The city is offering in-person payments, but by appointment only. Alternately, cheques can be mailed to City Hall or placed in the drop box outside of City Hall.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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