Northern Rockies received $42,000 in grants in lieu of taxes
VICTORIA -.Government is distributing $16.9 million in compensation for municipal property taxes to 64 communities throughout British Columbia, Minister of Citizens’ Services and Open Government Ben Stewart announced.
Grants-in-lieu of property taxes are distributed every November as a way to reimburse communities for services that benefited government properties, such as municipally-run sewers, roads and fire protection. According to the Municipal Aid Act, a grant-in-lieu is payable on land owned by the provincial government – for example, courthouses, provincial government office buildings, ambulance stations and warehouses. Since schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes, a grant-in-lieu is not payable on these properties. In addition, highways, forests, parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation are excluded from compensation under the act.
The funds are distributed electronically on behalf of government by the Ministry of Citizens’ Services and Open Government.
Northern Rockies (RD): $41,931.8.
Fort St. John: $107,052.74. Dawson Creek: $113,893.95
The amounts paid are based on the municipality’s tax rate and the assessed value of the properties and businesses rely on.”
• In 1963, the government of B.C. recognised its responsibility to compensate municipalities for local services that benefitted provincially owned properties.
• Each municipality distributes a portion of the funds to its regional district, and those governments use the money to help pay for local services.
• Since 2002, the government of British Columbia has distributed more than $190 million as grants-in-lieu to B.C. communities.
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