Anybody interested in property tax relief in the Town of The Blue Mountains will soon know what options are available.
At a special council meeting on Feb. 11, The Blue Mountains council voted unanimously in favour of a resolution from Coun. Alex Maxwell that requested town finance staff compile a list of property tax relief programs that are available to the public. The resolution asked for all applicable local, provincial and federal programs to be included.
Maxwell’s motion originally appeared on the agenda for the Jan. 27 meeting. However, that meeting went long and the agenda wasn’t completed, which prompted the scheduling of the special meeting on Feb. 11 to finish off the proceedings.
Maxwell said he continues to hear concerns about affordability and is aware of several tax relief programs that are available that might help local residents.
Maxwell pointed to programs such as Ontario energy relief, managed forest tax incentives and conservation tax incentives that are out there and available, but might not be known to the general public.
“I do believe we have a responsibility to our residents to help them in any way we can,” said Maxwell.
After the resolution passed, Coun. Paula Hope asked if the town would have a communication plan to let the public know about the list of programs. In response, Deputy Mayor Peter Bordignon said council could provide direction on communicating the list after the staff report on the matter returns for consideration.