Council to review new criteria for Permissive Property Tax Exemption Policy tonight

Potential changes to how the City of Prince Rupert approaches Permissive Property Tax Exemptions will make for part of this evening's City Council session, with Council members set to review a report from the City's Financial Officer.

Last updated in 2012, the report was generated to reflect the change in the electoral cycle from three to four years as well as to provide for updates to the policy that the city uses to determine which properties will qualify for the exemption status.

Among some of the notes from the fourteen pages of information include:

Applications must be submitted on or before July of each year to the Finance Manager using the City's application form.

For this year, council will be asked tonight to extend that deadline to August 15th.

The permissive tax exemption process for most applicants will follow a four year cycle, once eligible an organization that has been granted an exemption will see it remain valid through to the end of that four year cycle, provided they continue to qualify.

Applications that are received after the deadline will not be considered for an exemption in the current year, but will be put forward to the following intake for consideration, as long as they are eligible.

When it comes to the Eligibility Criteria, the list of conditions looks as follows (click to enlarge):

There are now seven categories for evaluation as part of the process

Supportive housing properties: short-term stay (less than 2 years and stated purpose is to be short-term), emergency or crisis protection, or transitional housing for members of the community with the provision of support services. 

Community support programs: support services and programs to members of the community with special needs, who are in some way disadvantaged and need assistance in maximizing their quality of life.

Arts and cultural facilities: preparation and delivery of artistic and cultural events or exhibits to the public.

Complementary extensions to municipal services and programs: The services provided fulfill some basic need that the City could/would otherwise provide

Athletic or recreational facilities: provide space, equipment, and/or programs for the physical and mental enjoyment of the participants. 

Licensed day cares providing group child care or Preschool services to at least 9 children  

Places of worship: 

i. Facilities for public worship occupied by a religious organization as a tenant; 

ii. Land surrounding places for public worship; church halls and land surrounding them or other property attached and deemed necessary.

While it's noted in the report that Council members attended a workshop to discuss the issue of permissive tax exemptions, so far, there does not appear to be any mention of a public consultation process included as part of the roll out of the new policies.

The report for Council tonight notes that staff will review all applications for completeness and contact applicants if additional information is necessary.

City Staff will prepare a summary report of applications and bylaw for presentation to Council in September/October for approval and adoption prior to October 31st of each year.

Council will vote to adopt the permissive exemption policy at this evening's session.

You can review the full document from the City's Agenda package for tonight here, the material on Property Tax Exemptions starts on page seven.

More background on the City's Permissive Tax Exemptions process can be reviewed here.

For more items of  interest related to Prince Rupert City Council see our Council preview here, a wider overview of discussion themes from City Council can be found here.

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