Penticton city councillors during their first ever virtual council meeting on April 7. Council and city staff will hold a special April 23 meeting video conference meeting to discuss the financial impacts of COVID-19 on the city and residents. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Penticton city councillors during their first ever virtual council meeting on April 7. Council and city staff will hold a special April 23 meeting video conference meeting to discuss the financial impacts of COVID-19 on the city and residents. (Jesse Day - Western News)

City of Penticton to discuss financial impacts of COVID-19 in special meeting

Councillors will discuss potential financial relief efforts for city and residents

  • Apr. 16, 2020 12:00 a.m.

Penticton city council has scheduled a special meeting on Thursday, April 23 to discuss the financial impact COVID-19 has had on both the city and community.

Due to social distancing measures, the meeting will take place via video conference.

READ MORE: COVID-19: City of Penticton postpones utility suspensions

During this meeting, council will receive details and will be asked by city staff to make decisions about the city’s temporary service level adjustments, capital projects being deferred, property tax deferrals, utility relief, the business tax multiplier and the 2.9 per cent 2020 tax rate.

READ MORE: COVID-19: City of Penticton considering two-month property tax deferral

READ MORE: City of Penticton proposes 2.9 per cent tax hike for 2020

Staff will also provide an update on the findings of the recent resident and business impact surveys, as well as the steps being taken now to reduce city spending by pausing corporate business plan initiatives, temporarily reducing service levels and deferring non-critical capital projects.

READ MORE: City of Penticton launches emergency survey on financial impacts of COVID-19

“To assist the community in weathering this crisis, the city is considering all available tools,” said the city’s chief financial officer, Jim Bauer.

“Staff will show council several different decision options while considering the financial sustainability of the city, the needs of residents, businesses and developers and implications on services and staff.”

Residents and business owners wishing to watch next Thursday’s council meeting can do so by visiting penticton.ca. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

@PentictonNews editor@pentictonwesternnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Penticton Western News