Town borrows to cover tax arrears

Ken Johnston

“I would like to urge the town to do something about arrears for taxes of three years or more,” said Councillor Ed Tymkin at last week’s council meeting.
Council passed its annual interim tax levy at that meeting last Tuesday evening. Taxpayers should be getting a bill this week and it will be due at the end of March. It will be equal to half of their total bill last year.
In the mean time council also passed a motion to borrow $203,930.80 from its reserves to address cash flow needs. Finance Chair Brent Anderson said the borrowing is directly tied to the arrears Tymkin mentioned above.
Deputy Clerk Treasurer Veldron Vogan said that anyone who is more than three years in arrears had it highlighted on their bill.
Taxpayers should note that if left for more than three years the town can seize and sell property for tax sale. Mayor Glen Armstrong said they as councillors do not get to see who is behind on their taxes until it comes up for tax sale.
Tymkin noted that large taxpayers like Globecco have been pursued and he feels that it should be the same for all. “What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.”