Delta is pushing the deadline for residents to pay their utility fees amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
At a special meeting of council on Friday, March 20, mayor and council unanimously gave three readings to a new bylaw that will enable the City of Delta to defer the late payment penalty deadline for 2020 flat rate utility bills until June 1, 2020. Council unanimous gave the bylaw fourth reading and final adoption at another special meeting Monday afternoon (March 23).
The new bylaw aims to provide some financial relief to residents who may be feeling the pinch as more and more people self-isolate and businesses close or reduce hours as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor George Harvie also directed city staff to continue to seek opportunities within Delta’s jurisdiction to ease the financial burden for residents and businesses.
“We recognize the financial burden being faced by our residents and businesses at this time. This bylaw will help provide some relief for many in our community,” Harvie said in a press release. “We will continue to seek similar opportunities in the days and weeks ahead.”
Earlier this week, in a letter requesting Emergency Management BC’s approval for Delta to declare a local state of emergency, Harvie asked the provincial government to adjust the requirements to qualify for its Property Tax Deferment Program to allow for broader participation among residents, and to consider any other measures that could alleviate the financial burden that many British Columbians are facing at this time.
READ MORE: Delta declares local state of emergency amid COVID-19 outbreak (March 19, 2020)
RELATED: COVID-19: Delta orders stores to curb bulk buys, provide dedicated hours for seniors (March 20, 2020)
SEE ALSO: COVID-19: Delta closing playgrounds, skate and bike parks (March 20, 2020)
For more information about the city’s response to COVID-19 and its impact to city programs, services and events — plus precautions to take to lessen the chance of contracting the virus as well as links to the Fraser Health, Health Canada, HealthLink BC and BC Centre for Disease Control websites and resources for local businesses — visit delta.ca/coronavirus.
SEE ALSO: B.C. COVID-19 cases jump by another 77, another care home affected (March 20, 2020)
SEE ALSO: COVID-19 precautions ‘not optional,’ B.C.’s Dr. Bonnie Henry warns (March 20, 2020)
SEE ALSO: Delta suspends business licence of studio claiming hot yoga kills COVID-19 (March 20, 2020)
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