Some community groups are up in arms after city council pulled their permissive tax exemptions.
The city forgives taxes on churches, emergency rescue services, and various arts, cultural, or educational programs and facilities.
Melissa Martin from the community arts council says her group is frustrated over the lack of funding for the Rollin Art Centre which is a city-owned property.
“We asked for the city’s help, but they don’t give it to us in terms of financial help with the preservation and the maintainance and care of the building, which is their property,” she said.
Mayor Sharie Minions said council priorities have shifted towards youth.,
“We focussed more heavily on youth in our policy this year, on youth sports and youth arts and youth activities,” she said.
Minions said groups that lost permissive tax exemption status this year all have the ability to recoup the loss through liquor sales, or other revenue sources.
Martin said she’s frustrated they weren’t given time to lobby for the continuation of their permissive tax exemption.
Minions said it was a difficult decision for council to make, but they did keep affected groups advised about what was happening through the process.
The arts council, Portal Players, Black Sheep RC, and Lawn Bowling Club all lost their permissive tax exemptions this year.
