A number of community groups that only received partial tax exemption last year will see a return to 100 per cent tax exemption this year.
Prince Rupert city council voted to return all properties on the tax exemption list back to fully exempt after the previous council provided 80 per cent exemption last year. Among those groups that will benefit are the SPCA, the Loyal Order of the Moose, the Prince Rupert Curling Club, the Friendship House, Kaien Senior Citizen Housing, North Coast Community Services and the Prince Rupert Senior’s Centre.
The result will be a total of $332,745 in tax exemption being granted this year compared to $316,225 being exempted last year. As well, the 100 per cent tax exemption will be locked in for the next four years to coincide with the term of the current council.
“Looking at the tangible impact on our budget, I think offering a four-year cycle of the 100 per cent exemption not only offers us certainty for our budget but also provides great certainty to a lot of these community organizations that are on small operating budgets,” said Coun. Blair Mirau.
