Town’s software being adapted as property tax deadline looms

As the town’s computer software is adapted to the year 2000 step-by-step, Civic Centre staff can only wait and see if the repairs are made in time to get property tax bills out.
Ed Yu Associates, the Vancouver-based company managing the town’s software, has been able to get some of the programs up and running to meet a Feb. 21 deadline set by Finance and Administration manager Darryl Allan.
That’s the latest date the town can begin processing the bills in order to have them in the mail by March 10–leaving enough time for residents to pay them by the March 31 due date.
Ed Yu Associates have not completely repaired the software but they have been able to do enough repairs to allow the billing process to begin.
Allan noted last week one of the options was to have the software up and running one stage at a time. “We’ll be looking at how we are going to priorize how things are going to be fixed,” he said.
Allan said the process is divided into sections, including input, calculation, and printing of information. The firm had taken a copy of the town’s software to its Vancouver headquarters to work on the update, and has sent back the repaired software permitting the process to begin.
“I’ve just been getting voice messages back and forth. They’re translating converted data to us this week. There will be stuff coming back to us,” said Allan.
But the pressure still is on the company to complete the changes in time for the March 10 deadline.
“That’s what we’re aiming for . . . we’ll see what we see when we see it,” said Allan.
In other news, council also is working to finish the process of putting together the town’s uncontrollable budget for the year 2000. The public has been invited to Monday’s council meeting for input before the budget is wrapped up.
“The meeting Monday is for public info on any part of the budget. They can give input and suggestions,” said Coun. Deane Cunningham.
A hurdle has been added after the Northwestern Health Unit announced last week a per capita increase of $1.37, which will cost the town an additional $10,000.
“It makes it difficult. Council hasn’t met since the health unit came down with the budget news,” said Coun. Cunningham.