You asked, we answered
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COVID-19 Updates
City of Vaughan news is released on a daily basis and kept on vaughan.ca for reference purposes. For the most recent updates and news as they happen, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Looking for an update on the City’s COVID-19 response efforts? Access Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to all citizen inquiries. Reach the City’s contact centre by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or by email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Every month,
the City releases popular questions received and responded to by Access Vaughan
in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five
inquiries received in April.
1. How
do I pay my property tax bill?
While Vaughan City Hall
remains closed, there are many ways property owners can make property tax bill
payments:
- Pre-authorized payment plans: The City offers two options that include –
- *NEW* 10 instalments: As the City of Vaughan transitioned to a new tax system, there are 10 withdrawals/payments for 2021 instead of the usual 11. The bill sent in February outlined the instalment dates from March 1 to July 1. Another bill will be sent in June outlining the instalment dates from Aug. 1 to Dec. 1. Your account must be at a zero balance in order to qualify.
- Six instalments: The interim and final billing's tax instalments are withdrawn automatically from the selected bank account on each due date. Your tax account must be at a zero balance to qualify for this program.
- Post-dated cheques: Post-dated cheques corresponding with the amounts and due dates printed on the tax stubs can be used. Please include all tax stubs with the cheques (as applicable) when sending them to the City. A fee will apply if any post-dated cheques need to be sent back.
- Financial institution: Taxes can be paid at all major banks either in-person, through the bank machine, online or via telephone. Payments will also be accepted from any other financial institution that will facilitate tax payments. Some banks may charge a fee for this service.
- At City Hall: Drop-off boxes at each Vaughan City Hall entrance can be used for submitting cheques. The boxes are emptied at least twice a day. Cash should not be dropped off in these boxes.
- By mail: Cheques and money orders should be made payable to the City of Vaughan and mailed to Vaughan City Hall in the return envelope enclosed with your tax bill, in addition to the payment stub. Please mail early as payments delayed in the mail and received after the due date will be subject to a penalty charge. Do not send cash through the mail.
The due date for the
third instalment of the residential and non-residential interim property tax
bill payment is Thursday, May 27.
2. Where
do I find the latest information on COVID-19 in Vaughan?
The City
of Vaughan continues
to take a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to COVID-19 –
precautionary measures remain in place to protect everyone in the community
from further transmission of the virus. The latest updates are available at vaughan.ca/COVID19.
The City's By-law and
Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department, in partnership with
regional public health officials, York Regional Police and other levels of
government, remains at the forefront in applying and enforcing provincial
regulations by the direction of the York Region Medical Officer of Health.
Greater attention and a more proactive approach are underway, including
enforcement of the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Measures By-law. Public complaints, concerns and
inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan by phone
at 905-832-2281 or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
3. What
outdoor amenities are open and closed?
Under
the Government of Ontario’s province-wide
stay-at-home order,
the following outdoor amenities are closed:
- Skateboard parks
- Tennis, basketball, volleyball and bocce courts
- Sports fields, including synthetic soccer fields
- Outdoor exercise equipment
Playgrounds,
trails and parks, including the off-leash dog park at 299 Racco Parkway, remain
open. If visiting these amenities, the City urges residents to follow public health
guidelines, including physically distancing at least six feet (two metres) from
others, wearing a mask or face covering when physical distancing is not
possible, and thoroughly washing and sanitizing hands before and after use of
the facilities. For more information on COVID-19 safety measures in York
Region, visit York Region Public Health’s website at york.ca/covid19.
4. Where
do I purchase City blue boxes and green bins?
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week,
residents can purchase garbage tags, blue boxes and green bins online through Service Vaughan, from the comfort of
home. Blue boxes cost $14
(plus HST) and green bins are $26.39 (plus HST). Visa, MasterCard and American Express are
accepted as payment.
Exchanging
damaged City-issued blue boxes
and green bins is just as convenient – residents can also request replacements
through Service Vaughan.
Once an online request is
made, garbage tags are mailed via Canada Post and both new and replacement blue
boxes and green bins are delivered directly to the residence. Broken bins
are collected for recycling when replacements are dropped off, contributing to
the City’s commitment to reduce material sent to landfill.
5. What
do I do if I spot a coyote?
Coyote
sightings in cities and rural areas are common and should not be cause for
alarm. The City understands that their presence can become a challenge in
residential areas, and they can also be intimidating to some people. If you
encounter a coyote, keep your distance and keep pets on a short leash.
If the
coyote approaches you directly:
- stop: pick up children and small pets, if necessary.
- stand still: never run from a coyote, fox or domestic dog.
- make yourself big: wave your hands above your head.
- be loud and assertive: shout, stomp your feet and clap your hands.
- use a noisemaker: it could be your voice, a party horn, pots and pans banged together, a shaker can (such as a pop can filled with pebbles), a plastic bag (pull it out of your pocket and snap it around), or an umbrella popping open and closed.
- slowly back away: be assertive as you leave, so the animal knows it is not welcome.
To
report a sick or injured wild animal, please call Access Vaughan at
905-832-2281. For more information, go to vaughan.ca/AnimalServices.
Those
who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should
contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at
1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including
physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York
Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
For more
information about City matters, please call Access
Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. To receive the City’s
latest updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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