91原创

Tax breaks for the 91原创 Food Bank and the Penny Pincher Thrift Shop operated by 91原创 Memorial Hospital auxiliary were unanimously approved by 91原创 City council, with one member of council suggesting the way exemptions are handled ought to be reviewed.

At the Monday, Oct. 18 meeting, Coun. Gayle Martin noted the decision would bring the total amount of forgiven taxes to $423,000, which works out to a 1.35 per cent increase to the annual property tax levy.

鈥淚 think we should be taking a more serious look at this,鈥� Martin cautioned.

鈥淭he bottom line is our taxpayers, they鈥檙e the ones paying for it.鈥�

Martin would like to see the city take a closer look at exemptions, suggesting adjustments could be made that would free up money to give other groups tax breaks, as well.

As an example, Martin cited churches, which are entitled to a 100 per cent exemption under the law, but not their parking lots, which could instead be granted a partial exemption.

Coun. Nathan Pachal noted adding the food bank and hospital auxiliary, along with Inclusion 91原创鈥檚 offices and Encompass Support Services, worked out to about a quarter of one per cent increase.

Coun. Rosemary Wallace acknowledged the forgiven tax revenue was 鈥渁 lot鈥� of money, but would help the community.

鈥淚 think we鈥檙e doing a good thing,鈥� Wallace commented.

READ ALSO: City council gives preliminary approval to tax breaks for food bank, hospital auxiliary

Coun. Rudy Storteboom, who has been arguing for a food bank tax exemption for years, noted the 91原创 Food Bank was the only one operating in the Lower Mainland that pays property taxes.

Storteboom called the move 鈥渓ong overdue.鈥�

Mayor Val van den Broek agreed.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 the right time,鈥� van den Broek remarked.

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Council also approved a continuation of previously-approved exemptions for other properties, including several churches, the Salvation Army Gateway of Hope shelter, 91原创 Lawn Bowling Club, 91原创 Care Society which operates the 91原创 Lodge seniors facility and a non-profit Montessori school.