The Municipality of North Cowichan will discuss three applications that have been received for five properties to be considered for permissive tax exemptions at a meeting Tuesday afternoon.
If granted, the municipality says the exemptions would be included for the 2026 and 2027 tax years and the region could lose over $8,000 in revenue.
Of the three applications put forward, a staff report says two are from organizations that have previously been granted exemptions and have since acquired new properties.
Currently, Clements Centre Society receives exemptions on five properties totaling $30,882 in lost revenue, the report says even more revenue could be lost if an exemption is granted.
“If granted a 100 per cent exemption, the estimated forgone revenue on this property would be an additional $3,819, and if granted a 50 per cent exemption, the estimated forgone revenue would be $1,910,” the society says.
Other exemptions include Maple Bay Yacht Club, who currently receives a 50 per cent exemption and House of Grace who is requesting an exemption.
Staff say while they allow permissive tax exemptions, there are concerns linked to granting them.
“While permissive tax exemptions support valuable community services, each exemption granted adds to the financial pressure on the budget,” reads a report from the society. “As staff work to meet council’s directive to lower taxes, the approval of additional exemptions presents a challenge.”
Municipality staff recommends that council denies the application, they say any decision to forego revenue significantly hinders their ability to meet their targets.
If council approves the application, staff say the total revenue lost would be over $8,000 based off the 2025 assessment and tax rates.
