A Rimbey resident who approached council at an open mike session at Monday’s council meeting is not happy with the answer she received regarding a recent decision regarding tax penalties.
Jan Boyarzin wanted clarification regarding tax penalty relief provided to Phil Swanson, owner of Rimbey TV and Electronics after it was discovered that his MasterCard wasn’t billed for his 2013 taxes, even though he alleged he had paid the taxes when he received the bill.
Swanson was granted tax penalty relief after the error was discovered.
Steven Yoon, the new owner of Rimbey Foods, also requested tax penalty relief as he did not realize he owed taxes for 2013 from the time he had purchased the business.
“While Mr. Yoon has no dispute regarding the 2013 taxes he owed, he did approach the town to ask that the penalties be cancelled as he was unaware that he owed a portion of the 213 taxes until receipt of the 2014 notice,” said Boyarzin.
The Rimbey resident, who spoke on behalf of herself and residents Gayle Rondeel and Helen Coers said the decision seemed unfair.
“We are concerned about what this says about welcoming a new business owner in the Town of Rimbey. On one hand, we hear about the perceived need to attract new businesses and people to Rimbey, but on the other hand a penalty fee is not cancelled after a legitimate case is made for a new business owner.”
However, Mayor Rick Pankiw said the decision was made in-camera and could not be discussed.
Boyarzin said later she didn’t feel the issue should be discussed in-camera as it was not a land, legal or personnel issue.