For the first time, people in Kamloops have the option this year of paying for property taxes or utilities with their credit card.

Council approved the change at its May 4 meeting.

Finance Director Kathy Humphrey says there has been a lot of requests for the city to bring in this option for payment.

“This amendment to the fee setting bylaw is simply to add in the user fees that will be added for choosing to use a credit card, which is a new option we’re providing to people this year.”

There will be a 1.75 per cent fee for property taxes and utilities only if people use their credit card, which covers fees charged by credit card companies. People can still pay their taxes or utilities by cash, cheque or debit with no extra charge.

Humphrey points out other payments to the city where people use their credit cards will not have that service charge. “So the fees will not be added to anything existing that has credit card payments. Registration for swimming lessons, etc., all of those things will continue as normal.”

The city had contemplated allowing credit card payments for property taxes and utilities last year, saying there had long been requests for it and that the option could help alleviate pressure on property owners during the early days in the pandemic. But the idea was shelved to avoid burdening residents with the extra 1.75 per cent fee.

People can expect to get their tax notices in the mail after May long weekend. The property tax deadline is July 2nd.

This year’s tax increase is 0.93 per cent, which is the lowest tax increase in Kamloops in about 20 years.