BRUCEDALE – Guelph/Eramosa council held its first teleconference meeting on April 7, and in about an hour, unanimously approved every item on the agenda.
Council passed a bylaw waiving interest and penalties for taxpayers who are late paying tax bills.
The first tax payment was due Feb. 28 and that still stands, but for those who can’t make the next payment on May 29, they will not be charged interest for June or July.
Water and wastewater payments were due at the end of March and those penalties will also be waived for April and May.
Council also agreed to waive the $40 NSF (non-sufficient funds) fee the township normally charge for returned cheques for the period between March 17 and the end of May.
Finance director Linda Cheyne said the township is still on the hook for tax payments to Wellington County and the Catholic and public school boards, “and we made the March 31st payment and are prepared to meet the June payment as well.”
Since March 31 however, the province has suspended tax payments to school boards going forward and has postponed its property tax reassessment plan that was to take place this year, “so 2021 levies will be based on the 2020 assessment,” Cheyne said.
She explained the township collected $13,000 in interest payments on late taxes in June 2019; $8,000 in July 2019; and $2,000 in interest for late water bill payments in 2019, so the financial impact for waiving these fees this year is about $25,000.
Of course, with skyrocketing unemployment since mid-March, it isn’t known yet how many taxpayers will need to take advantage of the lax payment rules.
“We have people who do pay their taxes,” Cheyne said. “We should be in good shape to make our payments.”
Mayor Chris White told council the treasurers of the seven municipalities in Wellington County, plus the county treasurer, are in regular communication and are working together in anticipation of potential cash flow issues.
“We will have to share this problem and we will have to work together,” he told council. “It is my intention that we [Guelph-Eramosa council] will revisit this as we go along.”
In a follow-up phone interview on April 9, White said some of the lost revenue will be offset by savings from not hiring summer workers.
“This is early days though. We just don’t know what our lost revenue will be,” he said.
“The budget will be impacted, but it will take a month or two to see exactly how much.”
Reducing rent for Rockwood Nursery School
Council also agreed to reduce by half the lease payment for Rockwood Nursery School, which operates out of the old Rockwood Town Hall, for the months of April, May and June.
“In these unprecedented times, our full closure has meant that we have had to forgo our tuition payments from our families,” states a letter to council from Kyla MacNeil, president of the nursery school’s board of directors.
“This alone will translate to a $10,000 loss per month for the school. In the month of April we will also have to cancel our Easter Egg hunt which was expected to generate upwards of $3,000 to contribute to our funding.”
The nursery school’s monthly rent is $1,484 plus HST and, according to the lease agreement, it will increase to $1,506 in September.
“I’m not opposed to [reducing] the rent,” said councillor Corey Woods. “I just want to make sure they are seeking all the [government financial support] avenues.”
“By helping them we’re helping us,” said councillor Mark Bouwmeester. “If there’s any way we can help the tenant, we help us.”
Parks and recreation director Robin Milne said he will confirm the nursery school has applied for relief programs.
Sewer and water extension for poultry vaccine facility
Council also endorsed the extension of sewer and water services for the CEVA site at 5410 Wellington Road 86.
CEVA Animal Health Inc., a manufacturer of poultry vaccines, plans to expand its Malcom Road facility in Guelph, into the adjacent property in Guelph-Eramosa.
In a report to council, CAO Ian Rogers stated that the City of Guelph has already endorsed the extension of city sewer and water services to the new facility in Guelph-Eramosa.
Guelph-Eramosa and city staff have been working with CEVA, which has a site plan application that will be brought to township council for approval in the near future.
The endorsement will allow the City of Guelph to amend its operating licences, and for the application to be forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for approvals.
“This is good economic development for us,” White said. “This is a real boost for our township.”
What wasn’t on the agenda
Guelph-Eramosa council did not, in its first public meetings since the COVID-19 outbreak, give CAO Ian Rogers emergency powers as other councils have done (including Guelph and Centre Wellington).
White said it’s not a move that’s necessary for Guelph-Eramosa right now.
“Each township operates differently,” he told the Advertiser, offering different amenities and services to residents. Therefore, the decisions that may be made are different as well.
“It’s not bad to think about,” said White. “You want to be nimble. Something could occur that’s unforeseen and needs an immediate response.”
Guelph-Eramosa is not there yet, he added.
“But I have no doubt that should we reach that position, council will reach a fair decision,” he said. “This is about maintaining the health and safety of our communities.”
