Wheatley residents forced out of their homes after the explosion last summer will be getting a break on property taxes until the evacuation order is lifted.
On Monday, municipal council voted to extend the period that interest and penalties on property taxes are waived for an additional 60 days after the evacuation order is rescinded or until the August 2, 2022 tax due date, whichever is a greater benefit to the property owner.
"Once the evacuation zone is reduced and a property is no longer within the boundaries of the zone, the chief building official issues an 'order to remedy unsafe building” and an 'order prohibiting use or occupancy of unsafe building'," read the report presented to council. "Property owners have been instructed that once the utilities have been reconnected, they are to contact the Chatham-Kent Building Department for an inspection by a Chatham-Kent Building Inspector."
If the property is deemed safe, the orders will be rescinded and property owners can return to their property.
To help ease any financial burden during this process, the initial credit for property taxes will also be applied to the date the evacuation order is lifted.
"Once the property owner has reactivated their utilities and the property has been inspected by a Chatham-Kent building inspector, the credit for property taxes will be extended to the date the final utility was reactivated," read the report.
Property owners who experience issues that prevent them from occupying their property are being recommended to contact the tax department by calling 519-360-1998 or sending an email, to see if additional relief can be granted.
