The CAMROSE BOOSTER, February 23, 2021 – Page 14
Gordon Naslund
Staying in touch with the Bailey Theatre
February 23, 1911 - On This Date In History Our Theatre Hosted Its First Performance.
Eleven decades ago, the Kenny Harvey entertainers delighted audiences with their comedic performances. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show “moving pictures” showcased the relatively new art of film.
4707B-51 Avenue, Camrose Phone 780-672-5120
4882-50 Street, Camrose Phone 780.672.5522 Fax 780.672.0808 GENERAL INSURANCE BROKERS • Auto • Home • Life • Farm • Commercial • Liability
Help us celebrate this date in history free coffee and cookies courtesy of the Spotlight Bistro on Wednesday, February 24th. 11am to 6 pm, while supplies last. Camille David, the original founder of the Camrose Opera House
Sit In The Past
16 branches to serve you www.visioncu.ca
Bailey Board members David Roth and Colleen Nelson
We’ve put four of the original vintage seats on display in the lobby. Next time you’re visiting the Spotlight Bistro or the Camrose Downtown Farmers’ Market, be sure to snap a photo of yourself on these historic perches.
4925-51 Street, Camrose Phone 780-672-5561 www.kjf-law.ca
The 50/50 Cash Raffle Congratulations to the 50/50 winner Jenna Clarahan of Edmonton. Jenna takes home over $2700! Thanks to all those who contributed to our fundraiser, your continued support through these times is appreciated. Stay tuned in March for our next 50/50, a St. Patrick’s Day release to capture the luck of the Irish.
780.672.7231 4709-36 Street, Camrose www.autoshoppe.ca
men’s wear
780.672.2797
Spotlight Bistro
4930-50 Street Downtown Camrose
open for take-out 11am to 2pm , Tuesday thru Friday • call (780) 781-1781
Enrich your spirit
Next Spotlight Bistro Dinner Club on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th
• Original Art • Custom Framing • Art Supplies • Prints and Posters • Rocks and Crystals
780.672.8401 Downtown Camrose www.candlerartgallery.com
State-of-the-art facility and equipment • Hi-Tech frame repair • Insurance claims • Digital imaging • Lifetime warranty
Camrose Main Post Office 4901-50 Avenue, Camrose w w w. b a i l e y t h e a att re .c c o m • 778 8 00 - 6 7 2-55 2 - 5 5 10 10 • b boxof ox of f i c e@ e @ b a i l e y t h e a t re .c o m
www.facebook.com/BaileyTheatre
780.672.7332
www.twitter.com/BaileyTheatre
City recommends extension on overdue tax penalties By Lori Larsen
During a Feb. 16 City of Camrose Committee of Whole meeting, administration suggested council consider options with regards to property tax payments that included following the process approved by council in 2020 of extending the date upon which penalties would be applied until after Sept. 30, and forgoing the one-time six per cent penalty charge. City of Camrose Financial Services general manager Travis Bouck explained, concluding with a request for input and direction from council. “In a normal year, we send out property tax notices and they are due on June 30. If they are not paid at that time, the property owners receive a one-time six per cent penalty and, thereafter, a 1.5 per cent penalty every month.” Bouck said that the
City also offers a monthly payment plan. “Anyone who wants to join in April will pay up for four months, and they make sure they are on the monthly payment plan thereafter.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic beginning last year, circumstances were such that, on the suggestion of administration, the council voted to push the date upon which penalties would be applied to outstanding amounts after Sept. 30. In addition, at the end of Sept. 30, the City did not apply the normal six per cent penalty. Instead, they applied a 1.5 per cent penalty, and a continued 1.5 per cent penalty applied every month thereafter for unpaid taxes. “We also allowed property owners the ability to pay their 2020 tax amount over the last few months of 2020 instead of making
them pay 9/12ths at that time,” added Bouck. “What we did last year seemed to be very consistent with what other municipalities were doing to help their constituents and residents. The loss of income on the penalties was one of the items that we are allowed to apply our MOST (Municipal Operating Support Transfer) funding to, as this is a reduction of revenue.” Bouck said, as the City prepares for the mailing out of the 2021 property tax notifications, there has been some indication that other municipalities are looking at applying this method once again, with the understanding that there are some industries that have been hit and will continue to be hit for the remainder of 2021 as restrictions remain in place to some extent.
“We (the City) have heard everything from attempting to defer the taxes over a number of years, to extending the deadline to Aug. 31, and some municipalities that are just going back to normal to avoid the risk of any snowball effect in the future.” Bouck noted that the City did have more people sign up last year for the automated payment plan to spread the payment of property taxes over four to five months and, as a result, these people were automatically transferred onto the City’s normal automated monthly payment plan in 2021. “We do have improved collection efforts with monthly statements and more timely follow up that has minimized the possibility of the potential dragging of receivables.
“However, we do have approximately 50 properties with which we are starting the tax recovery process. These are ones that we will be placing caveats on the property. These people have had this outstanding for a longer period of time. “This is in comparison to generally having about 15 at this time.” Bouck said that the City has been noticing some incidences with people experiencing more difficulty in paying their property taxes. Given that, there are some options that council could consider. Bouck explained to council three options that could be considered for this year’s process of property tax payment, the first of which would be to treat 2021 as a normal year. Continued on page 18