The Town of Hanna council heard from staff that a plan allowing property owners to pay their tax bills in monthly instalments is popular. The report was made at the Sept. 9 regular meeting of council.

Councillors read the 2025 taxation report presented by Director of Corporate Services Winona Gutsche which noted a major property tax deadline had recently passed.

“In 2020 council had concerns regarding the ability of property owners to pay their taxes due to Covid 19 implications,” stated the staff report.

“In recognition of that council reduced the penalties charged by 50 per cent (from eight per cent to four per cent on Sept. 1 and Oct. 1 and from 10 per cent to five per cent on Jan. 1. The penalty dates and rates remain the same.

“Tax payment deadline was Aug. 31, as this fell on Sunday and Labor Day weekend Sept. 2 was the deadline for payments.

“As of that date the 2025 taxes outstanding were $956,089.15, versus the outstanding taxes on August 31, 2024, of $896,550.25.

“Penalties in the amount of $10,763.40 were applied on Sept. 3 (four per cent of current levy balance). “Please note that of the outstanding taxes there will be a further payment of taxes from those property owners on the monthly pre-authorized payment plan in the amount of $546,238.36 by the end of Dec., leaving an estimated amount of outstanding taxes at year-end of $409,850.79.

“Payments have been received since the deadline, and it is anticipated payments will continue in Sept. to avoid the second penalty on Oct. 1.”

During her presentation Gutsche noted the number of late payments tends to be roughly similar year-to-year and even though the 2025 numbers appear a bit higher than 2024, it’s expected payments will be made in Sept.

Gutsche noted the Town of Hanna sends letters to those property owners who missed the Aug. 31 tax payment deadline which also reminds them there is another late payment deadline coming up.

Coun. Sandra Beaudoin asked if the Town of Hanna’s monthly payment plan for property taxes works well for some people, to which Gutsche responded, “Oh, definitely.”

Gutsche noted information about the monthly payment plan is included with a property owner’s tax bill and when town staff speak to property owners about payment options for their tax bill the monthly plan is always mentioned.

Mayor Danny Povaschuk asked if someone on the monthly payment plan misses a payment, would there be a late penalty?

Gutsche responded no, town staff instead work with the property owner to catch up on their unpaid bill. She stated that even a property owner whose tax bill is in arrears could apply for the monthly payment plan but they must contact Town of Hanna staff to speak directly about this.

During discussion it was also observed that even for those taxpayers on the monthly payment plan all property tax bills must be ultimately pad by Dec. 31.

Councillors unanimously accepted the 2025 taxation report as information.