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Despite the financial hit caused by COVID-19, the majority of property owners were able to square up their tax bill with the city of Saskatoon.
The city allowed property owners three months grace to pay their 2020 tax bill to help soften the blow of the spring lockdown.
In an email, the city reported 80 per cent of total property tax billed in May had been collected as of September 30th, when the deferral program ended. In 2019 the figure was nearly 81 per cent.
Saskatoon’s director of corporate revenue Mike Voth says he is pleased the impact was minimal.
“The City of Saskatoon is basically on par with any other year as far as collecting property tax.”
“We were cautiously optimistic. Really pleased that there wasn’t that big a difference and that if there is anybody struggling or has some concerns, please reach out to us. We always want to work with people.”
Utility arrears were much higher. As of September 30th, nearly 13 per cent of accounts were overdue by 30 days or more.
That percentage is nearly double what it was last year, however, Voth said he expects that number to be lower after the October bill period.
“Many people are likely waiting until they would normally pay their bill to cover that deferral period.”
“We have a lot of what you call ‘payment arrangements’ on file where we are cancelling penalty if they adhere to their payment arrangement, but it will still show as an outstanding balance.”
Voth said the cost of the program came in on budget between $600,000 and $800,000.
