Let's get that Taxation started ... City of Prince Rupert Utility bills now in the mail

The start of the 2023 taxation year is underway, with residents of the City of Prince Rupert finding some tidings of taxation for they review in their mail boxes this week.

Prince Rupert takes a different path on how it divvies up its calls for taxation compared to most BC municipalities with the tax chomp coming in two waves.  

First with February the month we receive notice of our Utility payment requirements, the money that makes for our water, sewer and waste disposal in the community.

As it has been for a few years now, this years tax call features another increase, with ratepayers looking at another 10 dollars for water and sewer, while the garbage levy decreases by 10 dollars.

 That likely a result of the end of the roll out of the recycling program from 2022.

The Total increase is around ten dollars compared to last years billing.

The City website outlines how they use some of the fees that are collected, as well as  an outline on payment options and interest provisions which you can review here.

The deadline for payment is March 31st and for the most part the City would prefer that residents make payment by way of electronic means, offering up a few options to consider.

click to enlarge

You can review the evolution of our utility bills through the years below:

2022 -- From City Hall to your mailbox, the roll out of the 2022 Utility Bills has begun
2021-- The City's tax collectors would like a moment of your time and some of your cash for Utility payments 
2020 -- Payment Due: City's Utility Bills begin to arrive across Prince Rupert
2019 -- Your mail call this week brings a tax call from the City of Prince Rupert
2018 -- March 30th the deadline for payment, as utilities bills hit the mail for Prince Rupert Residents
2017 -- Payment's Due! As city's utility bills arrive with March deadline
2016 -- City's first wave of taxation collection now underway
2015 -- City Service and Utility bills begin to drop into home owners mailboxes

Should you have questions related to the 2022 Utilities taxes you can contact City Hall at 250-627-0964.

As we noted above, the Utilities notice is the first of two tax regimens that the City has in the community, the next tax notice that will arrive in your mailbox comes in the late Spring, when the City of Prince Rupert mails out their property tax notices for the year.

Almost since they returned to the Council chamber following the municipal election of October, some City Council members have be telegraphing that 2023 is going to be a rough year.  

The bulk of the city council concern comes from the lack of financial options and limitations that they state, that they have, in areas of port related taxation and how that impacts on their budgeting themes.

With the  dominant theme of recent meetings that of some councillors warning of the prospect of a property tax increase likely, perhaps one that delivers a number that residents may not have seen for many years.

January 11, 2023 -- Port Property valuations, impact on PILT and Civic vexation from it all, make for bulk of discussion at Monday City Council Session

December 7, 2022 -- Financial Clouds for 2023 shape decision making for 2023 Prince Rupert Community Enhancement Program 

But you know as in the report as noted we are coming into a challenging year, this year  for our budget coming up and I have a hard time wanting to add to that hard time that's going to be coming for us. And it's probably not going to be a wonderful year  for our budget of 2023 I think we've got a a lot of challenges ....   -- Prince Rupert City Councillor Wade Niesh at the December 5th council session  

What level of increase, if any to be assessed, will be determined later this year as City Council begins its Budget Discussion consultation period through the Spring.

For more notes related to Taxation in Prince Rupert see our archive page here.  

A wider overview of municipal issues is available from our Council Discussion archive. 

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.