Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Jasper鈥檚 Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association called for council to lower the tax increase and utility fees in its proposed 2021 operating budget at their regular meeting on Dec. 15.
On the direction of council, Administration had prepared an operating budget that would set 2021 residential and commercial property taxes about 20 per cent higher than in 2020, following a rates decrease in 2020 to help Jasperites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justin Melnyk, president of Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce, said the proposed budget 鈥渋s extremely damaging to the business community and in some cases will cause bankruptcy鈥�.
Melnyk acknowledged Jasper鈥檚 infrastructure needs more support, but said 2021 isn鈥檛 the year to do it. He urged council to pass an interim budget with the understanding that mill rates and utility rates can be set in the new year with a clearer lens about the potential financial havoc COVID-19 will cause in 2021.
He said this year, many businesses survived on government assistance and although the business outlook is better in 2021, government aid will likely be needed again.
Ralph Melnyk, Jasper Hotel Association (JHA) president, said the increase is too high and unsustainable, especially this year with economic challenges caused by the COVID pandemic.
鈥淎ll JHA members are concerned and disagree with the proposed tax increase for the coming year,鈥� he said.
He echoed Justin Melnyk鈥檚 comments that there will be severe loss of income to all businesses in Jasper.
鈥淲e have seen significant revenue declines,鈥� he said. 鈥�2021 will not be like 2019.鈥�
He said the commercial tax rate being five times that of the residential rate is
unacceptable and asked council, on behalf of the Jasper business community who fall under the rate, to adjust 鈥渁 severely unfair proportion to all businesses in Jasper鈥�.
Coun. Helen Kelleher-Empey noted in addition to the revenue loss experienced by hotels, other businesses in town are experiencing revenue loss, some by 80 per cent.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 make it over Christmas, you don鈥檛 make it,鈥� she said.
Later in the meeting, council passed a motion to approve a base 2021 interim operating budget based on 2020 numbers to allow municipal operations to continue into the new year.
Christine Nadon, legislative services manager, said council鈥檚 approval of the interim budget 鈥渋s not an ideal situation but it鈥檚 only for a few weeks鈥�.
Mayor Richard Ireland said he hoped council would be able to pass the final budget, but with discussions about utility fees and how integral it is to the budget, 鈥渁n interim operating budget is about the only way we can move forward鈥�.
Ireland noted it will be 鈥渟ome time into 2021 for council to (finalize) the budget鈥�.
The subject of utility fees was deferred and is expected to be discussed at council鈥檚 Dec. 22 committee of the whole meeting. First and second reading is expected at council鈥檚 Jan. 5 meeting.
Rent relief for facilities
Tenants of municipal facilities in town that are closed due to COVID-19 will get rent relief.
Council passed a motion to waive rent for tenants in all municipal facilities from the date the facility is closed to when it reopens - the same as they passed at their Apr. 21, 2020 meeting for the first closures.
The Activity Centre, the Fitness and Aquatic Centre and the Jasper Municipal Library and Cultural Centre will be closed until at least Jan. 12, 2021.
鈥楴eed鈥� for paid parking
Administration recommended council implement paid parking in 2021, and that any surplus generated go to road reserves.
Natasha Malenchak, director of Finance and Administration, noted, 鈥淧ublic parking in Jasper isn鈥檛 free. It is paid for by property owners, and by extension, their tenants.鈥�
Coun. Jenna McGrath said, 鈥淧aid parking might supply additional revenue. The current situation is pointing dramatically at the need.鈥�
Deputy mayor Paul Butler said council is bound to hold 鈥渟ubstantial public engagement鈥� before making any decisions.
