City Hall is making room for an anticipated rush of peak period property tax payments again this year.
Since June 22, parking stalls on either side of city hall have been 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 2-38 and 41-49 are designated public parking stalls until July 2. 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 2 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. (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 12.4 per cent of grants in 2009 to 28.9 per cent claimed online in 2014.
How-to information for online payments has been posted on City’s website (www.campbellriver.ca) 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, 2015.
Things to remember about the Home Owner Grant:
- Residential property owners can claim the Home Owner Grant without paying property taxes.
- Banks and financial institutions cannot claim the home owner grant for you.
- How to apply for the Home Owner Grant
Go online to www.campbellriver.ca and click on “Home Owner Grant & Payments” under “Online Payments and Accounts” then launch the Home Owner Grant application from the link on the right side of the screen. Use your access code (called “Access” on your tax notice, beside the folio number).
Apply in person at City Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays
Property owners are reminded to check tax notices and water and sewer charges to ensure active or de-activated secondary suites are correctly noted in the property tax calculation. People who have not received a tax notice are asked to contact the City’s Finance Department at 250-286-5715.