At its virtual meeting on Monday night (March 30), Peterborough city council unanimously approved an emergency property tax relief measure for ratepayers in response to COVID-19 pandemic
Peterborough residents and businesses can defer their property taxes for up to 60 days without penalty, for both the March 31th and the May 29th instalment due dates.
Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien said the property tax relief measures give people who are experiencing financial hardship additional time to recover.
“People are focused on their health and the health of their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “They shouldn’t have to worry about the tax due dates.”
Council made the decision during its first meeting after the Ontario government changed provincial legislation to allow municipal councils to hold virtual meetings during declared emergency situations. The city had cancelled a meeting scheduled before the provincial changes, due to the public health guidance on physical distancing and the prohibition on public meetings of certain sizes.
The city is also considering other options to provide financial relief for residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, with recommendations expected at a council committee meeting in May.
“We’re going to look at other actions that we can take to help our community recover as we move forward,” Therrien said.
The priority right now needs to be the health and safety of the community, added councillor and finance chair Dean Pappas.
“Council’s taking action to protect the health and safety of the community,” Pappas. “And recognizing the financial pressures being faced by residents and businesses during this time, this is a first step. We’re going to need to adapt and change as the situation is changing.”
Peterborough Utilities, which is owned by the City of Peterborough, is providing financial relief to customers including refunding electric security deposits, not applying late payment charges, suspending collections of arrears for both electricity and water customers until July 31st, and halting service disconnections.
The City of Peterborough continues to provide essential and important services, such as fire protection, wastewater treatment, garbage collection, social services, and transportation services and infrastructure. As the COVID-19 situation is evolving, new decisions may be made affecting municipal services and facilities. For an up-to-date list of affected municipal services and facilities, visit www.peterborough.ca/covid19.
