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Penalties on utility bills deferred for the counties of Westlock and Athabasca

Athabasca also considers putting property tax penalties on hold
westlock county
Westlock County councillors agreed to suspend penalties on utility bills until July 1. In Athabasca, council is considering a similar move but is extending the deferrals to property taxes.

WESTLOCK/ATHABASCA – In Westlock County, residents are now exempt from penalties on their unpaid utility bills until July. Meanwhile councillors in Athabasca County expressed their intent to take similar action in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At an April 14 meeting, councillors in Westlock County approved an amendment to the outstanding receivables policy and agreed to waive penalties from April 1 to July 1.

“It’s estimated that the penalties are about $350-400 a month approximately, so the estimated loss of revenue would be about $1,800,” said Westlock director of finance Diane Urkow.

Another amendment to the utilities bylaw ensures no shut-offs will occur for the same time period due to non-payment. After July 1, accounts will be shut off after 60 days of non-payment – this was also modified April 14 from the original 45-day period.

In Athabasca, at a meeting that same day, councillors directed administration to make similar modifications to the utility bylaw.

“It makes sense because people are going to have a tough go here so there’s not much point in penalizing them,” said Athabasca Coun. Dwayne Rawson.

Currently, the county applies a two per cent penalty per month on utility accounts that remain unpaid after 30 days following the billing date.

The amendment, which will be back before council at the April 30 meeting, would waive the penalty on unpaid balances for all utility accounts from March to July.

“I’m not in favour of waiving any actual fees because I think that just hurts people down the road. The idea of relaxing the interest though, I like that,” said Coun. Kevin Haines.

Additionally, councillors in Athabasca are considering an amendment to the tax bylaw that would waive the usual four per cent penalty which applies if taxes remain unpaid Aug. 1.

No changes would be made to the eight per cent penalty if taxes are unpaid on Nov. 1.

The tax bylaw amendments will also be presented to council April 30.

With files from Chris Zwick, Athabasca Advocate

Andreea Resmerita, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @andreea_res

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