City Hall is making room for an anticipated rush of peak period property tax payments again this year.
As in past years, as of Monday, June 16, parking stalls on either side of City Hall will be available to the public so people will have close access to the building. The City encourages the public to use the large parking lot with access off the Alder St. hill as there are 47 parking stalls available for public use. Parking stalls numbered 1-38 and 41-49 are designated public parking stalls between June 16 – July 2 inclusive. And again this year, in the event of a line-up, a Finance Department employee will review paperwork to make sure all forms are completed with correct details before people get to the counter.
“Campbell River property tax payments made in person at City Hall tend to peak during the final two weeks leading up to the July 2nd deadline,” says Dennis Brodie, the City’s Finance Operations Supervisor. “People can expect to wait in line a bit during this time, and between closer parking and a review of the paperwork ahead of time, we’re aiming to reduce the payment processing time during the final rush.”
In-person payments can be made at City Hall by cash, cheque or debit card. (Please ensure debit card transaction limits will cover the amount of taxes due.) The City cannot accept payment by credit card.
Property tax payments can also be mailed, and post-dated cheques are accepted. A secure and convenient drop-box for post-dated cheques is available at the main door to City Hall.
“Tax notices sent at the end of May included an insert that listed all the various methods available to property owners for property tax payment,” Brodie says. “The easiest way for people to reduce the wait time is to pay property taxes and apply for the Home Owner Grant via the Internet.”
Home Owner Grants claimed online for Campbell River properties continue to increase, from 16.91 per cent of grants in 2010 to 26.35 per cent claimed online in 2013.
How-to information for online payments has been posted on City’s website under What’s New.
Property owners are reminded that in order to avoid a 10 per cent penalty, payment and completed Home Owner Grant Applications must be received by July 2, 2014.
– Contributed by Campbell River City Hall
