The city is set to allow installment payments to be made on property taxes. The change comes with the adoption of Bylaw No. 13-2019 in order to be compliant with the Lloydminster Charter. The process is new for the city, as Mayor Aalbers suggests there wasn’t such a bylaw before.
“There was really no bylaw, and I think that’s what was brought forward to make sure we have our governance in order to ensure that things are done properly,” says Mayor Aalbers.
The new bylaw ensures compliance with the Charter while not changing anything about the existing Property Tax Pre-authorized Debit (PAD) Plan. Without the bylaw, the city’s legal department believes city administration would have to bring every new PAD agreement and tax arrears agreement to council for approval. On top of saving time, Mayor Aalbers calls it “very good housekeeping.”
“I think it’s ensuring that’s all part of that process. Had we done the governance review, as an example, and done a deeper dive, it might have come up then but it was found by our administration. Thye brought it forward, and I think this is just making sure we’ve got our house in order.”
The bylaw is in compliance with the Municipal Government Act by not changing anything about the current Property Tax PAD plan or tax arrears agreements. The city says there are nearly 600 taxpayers currently enrolled in the Property Tax PAD Plan.