There were five tax penalty forgiveness requests presented to town council with some being forgiven and others declined.
Council made the decisions at their Monday, Sept. 21 regular meeting with some discussion over whether those requests should be forgiven.
The first request for decision was for Prairie Boys Truck Wash that received a penalty of $2,365. In a letter to the town, the company states it did not receive the tax notice due to a clerical error. As soon as they realized the mistake the company paid the taxes.
The company did receive the notices that went out in August, explained Betty Quinlan, director of corporate services. Coun. Carla Prediger asked how the notice works.
“How do they not receive their taxes but how do they receive their penalty notice?” she asked.
Prediger suggested tax bills are similar to having a utility bill that should be paid. Coun. Loanna Gulka agreed. “It’s your(the company’s) responsibility.”
However, Coun. Sandra Lyon suggested if the penalty amount is 10 per cent, then the company’s taxes are relatively high.After some discussion council voted in favour of reversing the penalty with councillors Gulka, Teri Underhill and Prediger voting against the request.
The second request was from Sandra Dyck for $274. She asked for forgiveness after not receiving the invoice in the mail.The request was approved with the same votes.
The third request was from John Menzies over a bill of $149. Menzies had explained to town staff that he had some medical issues. Council did not allow the request with only Falkiner and Mayor Rick Bonnett in favour of forgiving the penalty.
A fourth request was presented to council from Kerry Bonnett over penalties of $401. Mayor Bonnett recused himself from the meeting stating potential conflict of interest.
Mrs. Bonnett asked council to forgive the late payment and stated it was an oversite on her part. Only Falkiner was in favour of forgiving the request.
The last request came from Central Veterinary Clinic for a penalty of $402. A letter from the clinic stated they had not received the first invoice and in a penalty letter from the town had the message: “Correct your address!” written across the envelope.
Quinlan said the letter was returned as the postal code the town had was incorrect. Council forgave the request after seeing the address was incorrect with Prediger and Gulka opposed.