The town of Jasper says early numbers indicate last month含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淭hat will be a reduction in our capacity just when we need it the most,含羞草研究社� 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 town含羞草研究社檚 next steps, just as Jasper含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淭he overall intent is to ease the burden on residents,含羞草研究社� Given said. 含羞草研究社淲e will have a number of discussions about what the future looks like, but these are steps that administration identified we could take immediately.含羞草研究社�

Regarding the loss of 800 housing units, Mayor Richard Ireland urged residents to fill out a survey on the town含羞草研究社檚 website to gauge exactly how many people could use temporary housing once they return.

含羞草研究社淚t is critical that we continue to get the message out to residents that we need to hear from them,含羞草研究社� Ireland said. 含羞草研究社淲hether you are in need of housing, or whether you might have housing that could be available to other residents, it is critical information.含羞草研究社�

Given said those who have accessed temporary housing through evacuee reception centres in Edmonton, Calgary and Grande Prairie, Alta., will have continued access until 含羞草研究社渁t least含羞草研究社� Aug. 24.

A motion was also approved Tuesday to have the town hire a 含羞草研究社渄irector of recovery含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淚 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,含羞草研究社� Coun. Wendy Hall said during debate.

含羞草研究社淭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.含羞草研究社�

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 Tuesday含羞草研究社檚 meeting, told council that residents returning to Jasper should still expect to see wildfire smoke nearby.

含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 a lot of work left to do,含羞草研究社� Large said of the fire, which is still considered out of control.

Ireland said seeing 含羞草研究社渇ire on the landscape含羞草研究社� will be 含羞草研究社減art of the new normal含羞草研究社� for Jasper residents once back home.

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