COVID-19 sees Vernon scrap utility bill interest, downtown parking meter enforcement

The City of Vernon is waiving interest charges on utility bills and has scrapped parking meter charges in its downtown core due to the coronavirus.

The City has waived interest charges on its first-quarter utility bill which will be mailed out mid-April. Ordinarily, interest is charged on the balance, if payment isn't received by the mid-May due date. 

Due to the financial ramifications of the coronavirus, the City is waiving the interest and giving people more time to pay their bill if they need to. In a media release, the City states unpaid bills due Feb. 18, will still be subject to interest.

Vernon city council voted to implement the changes at its meeting March 31.

The City has implemented free parking in downtown Vernon by suspending the enforcement of parking meters and two-hour parking zones. The temporary measure, which is due to be reviewed April 27, has been put in place to encourage individuals to support the local businesses in the Downtown that remain open.

While City Hall does remain open, the City is encouraging residents to go online or to call. Residents can access information about property tax and utility bill online here, and access a multitude of services online from paying for a business licence to disputing a parking ticket online.

Online services from the City of Vernon can be found here.

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