With Mayor Herb Pond noting of the more efficient approach by Prince Rupert City Council over Regional District in their process of moving forward on Permissive Tax Exemptions; the path for the exemption program from 2024 to 2027 was put in place Monday night by way of first, second and third readings towards the bylaw provisions.
The New Exemption Bylaw vote came following a report from the Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben, who outlined how the application process worked and how city staff compiled the final list for review.
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The full report, which includes the bylaw language and the List of those properties to be exempt can be reviewed from the City's Agenda from Monday evening.
Mayor Herb Pond spoke to the topic noting that there was no significant change from this years list as well as to take note of some of the uses of the properties by those seeking exemption. Included on that list was a section of the Canfiso property on George Hills Way.
"The outline of the permissive tax exemptions are there and I don't think there's any significant change when I go through that. There's a number of them, if people go through the list, you can see it online; there are churches and service organizations and seniors centres, seniors accommodations.
The one that has popped up in the last number of years, is an arrangement with Canfisco with regards to a portion of their property that is now used for recreation for the people of Prince Rupert both in terms of the launching of boats and parking and gymnastics and other activities in that area"
The Mayor's comments and the vote can be viewed through the City's Video Archive starting at the 26 minute mark.
While the Mayor made note of the City's leasing of the Canfisco Warehouse for recreation activities, he did not make mention of one addition for this year, that of the MacCarthy GM facility that is destined for new service as the City's Work yard.
In her report to Council the CFO noted that as the property is now used for municipal purposes, the property owners are eligible for the exemption.
Other than their votes to approve the bylaw, Council members had no comment on any elements of the Permissive Tax Exemption program on the night.
That even though both the use of the Canfisco Warehouse and the ongoing plans for the MacCarthy property have made for some conversation in the past.
December 2022 -- Comment related to Canfisco Warehouse Monday night, should bring forward more background and details from Council members and City Staff
August 2023 -- Cost increase to Operations renovations at MacCarthy facility make for short discussion at Council Monday
The council members also would seem not to have any interest on some changes to civic policies towards the Permissive Tax Exemption program found further east in the region.
As we noted earlier this month, the Town of Smithers has decided to eliminate the entire Permissive Tax Exemption process completely, having followed up on the past discussions of their council over the last few years, voting last month to eliminate the municipal instrument.
More notes on Civic Taxation Themes can be reviewed from our archive page.
Further items of interest from the Monday Council session are available here.
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