Mission Coun. Jag Gill could not find anyone on council to support his motion for staff to investigate the possibility of a tax relief grant.
Gill addressed council at the end of Monday night’s meeting and asked for their support.
“I’m bringing this motion forward this evening, my intentions aren’t to surprise any councillors with this motion, but after seeing the report of the financial impact of COVID-19, I firmly believe it is the right time to bring this motion forward.”
He asked that staff provide a report to council detailing the financial implications of offering a property tax relief grant of either 4.39 per cent or 2.19 per cent to all residential property owners in Mission.
“I’m not sure what the report will highlight with respects to implications, but we are in a global pandemic and we need to think outside the box,” said Gill, adding they need to work tirelessly to find avenues where they can offer relief to Mission residents.
Council has previously suggested it would take a close look at the impacts of COVID-19 and address it in the upcoming budget talks for 2021, but Gill said he doesn’t think some people will make it to the next budget cycle.
He emphasized that he wasn’t looking for a commitment from council, rather just asking for a report to look into the implications.
No one on council seconded Gill’s motion and the proposal failed.
