Councils in Gibsons and Sechelt have approved their 2018 property tax exemptions. Some exemptions are granted automatically under provincial rules, but municipalities have an option when it comes to many others, such as properties owned by community and non-profit groups.
Sechelt council is granting the same number of exemptions as last year, for a total of $216,617. Sechelt council stirred up controversy several years ago when it moved to halve the exemption for Girl Guides of Canada’s Camp Olave.
Representatives of the local Girl Guides were at the Oct. 18 Sechelt council meeting and thanked councillors for this year’s exemption and “their acknowledgement of the value of the Camp Olave property to the entire community.”
Mayor Bruce Milne said the council supports the Guide camp. “I think it’s one of our small contributions to the broader regional and provincial community.”
Gibsons council made some changes to its exemption list this year to reflect the sale of a United Church property in Lower Gibsons to private owners, bringing the total exemptions to $46,000. Some $26,000 of that is for Christenson Village at 585 Shaw Road.
After the bylaw got second and third readings on Oct. 3, Gibsons businessman Art Jones criticized council for the exemptions granted to the Royal Canadian Legion and the Gibsons Public Market.
Mayor Wayne Rowe pointed out that the Town is part owner of the Market property. Under provincial rules, municipally owned property is automatically exempt from taxes.
On another point raised by Jones, Rowe said asking property owners who get an exemption and have parking to allow public access to those parking spots is an idea worth considering.
