For many citizens, the appearance of a utility bill in their mailbox was an unpleasant surprise.
The decision to separate property tax notices from utility bills was made by council on Dec. 12, 2023.
Revelstoke Mayor Gary Sulz and Chief Administrative Officer Evan Parliament understand that money is tight and an average $1,300 surprise might be hard to swallow. But they are asking residents not to take their frustration and anger out on Revelstoke city staff, who are dealing with a number of unpleasant calls in recent days.
This new initiative is designed to present greater clarity for residents as to how much they pay in property taxes versus utility fees, which are based on consumption. The separate utility invoice and property tax notice will also be broken out in two different payment deadlines.
In a conversation on the city’s YouTube channel, Mayor Sulz and Parliament discussed the city’s decision to split the two bills.
Parliament explained that the city has three funds, – genera, which includes garbage, water and sewer. The general fund is based on property assessment and also covers things like recreation, public works, fire and police services. But the city maintains that the water fund, which covers operating, treatment and distribution of water and the sewage fund, which also covers operation, distribution and treatment of sewage should be based on a user pay system.
“Moving forward, if you use more water, sewer or garbage services, you’ll pay more,” said Parliament. “Once we introduce water meters we’ll know who is using what.”
While separating utilities may mean slightly lower property tax notices, Sulz pointed out that residents need to realize that municipal taxes are increasing slightly as are CSRD, school and hospital taxes.
The City of Revelstoke mailed out utility invoices on March 28, with a payment deadline of April 30. But due to many complaints about area mail being sent first to the Lower Mainland before being delivered locally, an extension has been granted to Thursday, May 2.
Parliament says what the city’s finance department is asking that residents pay the first four months of 2024 now then go on the pre-authorization plan which spreads payments equally over each month, for the balance of the year as well as future years.
Adding to Parliament’s plea at the April 9 council meeting, Mayor Sulz conceded there have been some growing pains in the new process but asked concerned residents to be patient.
“Don’t yell and scream at staff, they’ve done nothing wrong,” he said in a special YouTube conversation.
Annual water, sewer, and garbage service fees are applicable to individual properties, including individual strata units.
Invoices may be paid through most banking institutions, residents may drop them off at the City of Revelstoke side entrance Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, the Finance epartment is also available by phone: 250-837-2161 or email to finance@revelstoke.ca.
Property tax notices will be mailed out Friday, May 31st, 2024, with payment due Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
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