The town of Jasper says early numbers indicate last monthB次元官网网址檚 wildfires destroyed $283 million worth of property.

The town also reports that while 358 structures were destroyed, mostly businesses and homes, the total number of housing units lost is about 800.

The figures were delivered to councillors by chief administrative officer Bill Given at a virtual meeting Tuesday.

Given said the numbers get even more daunting as the town moves forward with rebuilding because the lost structures equate to a $2.2-million loss in annual property tax revenue.

B次元官网网址淭hat will be a reduction in our capacity just when we need it the most,B次元官网网址� said Given.

Given said the town is applying for funding from the province and other entities to try to bridge the gap.

During the meeting, council approved a number of motions regarding the townB次元官网网址檚 next steps, just as JasperB次元官网网址檚 5,000 residents prepare to return home Friday.

Approved motions included the suspension and deferral of property tax payments and collection for damaged and destroyed properties, as well as municipal utility charges for those same properties.

Council also passed a motion to have administration look into partially refunding property taxes for residents whose homes or businesses were destroyed, but who had paid their annual taxes in full before the fire.

B次元官网网址淭he overall intent is to ease the burden on residents,B次元官网网址� Given said. B次元官网网址淲e will have a number of discussions about what the future looks like, but these are steps that administration identified we could take immediately.B次元官网网址�

Regarding the loss of 800 housing units, Mayor Richard Ireland urged residents to fill out a survey on the townB次元官网网址檚 website to gauge exactly how many people could use temporary housing once they return.

B次元官网网址淚t is critical that we continue to get the message out to residents that we need to hear from them,B次元官网网址� Ireland said. B次元官网网址淲hether you are in need of housing, or whether you might have housing that could be available to other residents, it is critical information.B次元官网网址�

Given said those who have accessed temporary housing through evacuee reception centres in Edmonton, Calgary and Grande Prairie, Alta., will have continued access until B次元官网网址渁t leastB次元官网网址� Aug. 24.

A motion was also approved Tuesday to have the town hire a B次元官网网址渄irector of recoveryB次元官网网址� who will work for the community throughout the rebuilding process. Given told council the position would have a two-year term that could be extended if necessary.

B次元官网网址淚 think that staffing needs are going to be immense in the next few years, and probably complicated by the fact that some staff will have lost their homes (and) might not return,B次元官网网址� Coun. Wendy Hall said during debate.

B次元官网网址淭his will be a really steep learning curve for both the municipality and residents, and I feel that we need all the extra support possible.B次元官网网址�

Jasper residents have been out for three weeks but can return beginning Friday.

Parks Canada incident commander Jonathan Large, in a presentation at the beginning of TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 meeting, told council that residents returning to Jasper should still expect to see wildfire smoke nearby.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of work left to do,B次元官网网址� Large said of the fire, which is still considered out of control.

Ireland said seeing B次元官网网址渇ire on the landscapeB次元官网网址� will be B次元官网网址減art of the new normalB次元官网网址� for Jasper residents once back home.

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