NEWS RELEASE
THE TOWN OF BLUE MOUNTAINS
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The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to advise residents that to help alleviate financial pressures related to COVID-19, town staff are proposing the option to waive penalties and interest on unpaid property tax and utility (water and sewer) bills for the three month period from April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. If approved by Council at the March 30, 2020 meeting, this will effectively extend the due dates for these bills until June 30, 2020.
It is important to note that tax and utility account preauthorized payment plans (PAP) will be processed as normal unless written instructions to suspend the payment are received two (2) days prior to the due date. To suspend your preauthorized payment plan, please contact the Finance Department at or call 519-599-3131 ext. 221.
“We understand that this is a difficult and uncertain time for our residents, and as a tourism and agriculture driven economy, the economic impacts of COVID-19 will be wide-reaching,” explained Mayor Soever. “Through implementing what is essentially a property tax payment extension, we hope to alleviate some of the financial stress on our residents. In coordination with town staff, I will also be reaching out to Grey County and the Bluewater District School Board regarding an extension to the dates on which the town must remit the county and School Board share of the property taxes to these entities. An extension from these entities would have the town avoid paying interest on monies it has deferred collecting from its taxpayers but is obligated to remit to them.”
In addition, through regional partnerships, the town is actively engaging various Provincial ministries and agencies regarding the need for financial assistance and support for businesses within the community and greater region.
For information regarding municipal business related to COVID-19, please visit the town website, or the dedicated COVID-19 webpage: www.thebluemountains.ca/covid-19.cfm
For more information, please contact: Finance Department (519) 599-3131 ext. 221
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