A satellite in-person property tax payment office is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 p.m. outside Frank Crane Arena. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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Tax payments trickle into City of Nanaimo coffers, cash flow concerns eased

Jul 2, 2020 | 12:40 PM

NANAIMO — If you haven’t claimed your homeowner grant and paid your taxes you’re not alone.

City of Nanaimo finance director Laura Mercer said about 60 per cent of 35,000 properties in the city are up to date on their 2020 tax bills.

Last year 96 per cent of property owners had paid up on the July 2 deadline, Mercer said.

Those who can pay their bill are encouraged to, but for those who can’t late payment penalties kick in later this year as part of local COVID-19 relief measures.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the penalty date has been extended to the first five per cent on Oct. 1, and the second five per cent penalty will be on Nov. 12,” Mercer said, who noted the deadline to claim homeowner’s grants is Oct. 1.

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User rate bills covering curbside collection and water services have an extended payment window of 90 days up from 30 before penalities apply.

This year’s property tax hike in Nanaimo was 4.5 per cent.

Meantime, Mercer does not believe the City will need to access a $50 million emergency fund to cover COVID-19 related revenue losses.

“Our cash flows are good, we will not be needing to access those funds any time soon.”

Mercer said in-person tax bills can be paid at a pop-up office at the Nanaimo Clippers box office at Frank Crane Arena open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to limit physical contact.

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