BY LORNE ECKERSLEY
Advance Staff
Hoping to spur new commercial construction and major renovations, Creston Town Council is working to extend a revitalization tax exemption that encouraged projects like the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre.
At the August 8th regular council meeting, Council had the choice of directing staff to prepare the necessary process to extend the previous program, adjust the time period or percentage of exemption, or abandon the incentives.
“This is Council’s choice about how to proceed,” Town Manager Lou Varela said.
The issue had been discussed earlier this summer at a committee of the whole meeting and it was clear then that councillors wanted the program to continue. The favoured plan will once again include a maximum ten year period with 100 per cent tax exemption for the first five years and a 50 per cent exemption for the second five years of the program, on the assessed value of the improvements. The minimum eligible project value (as determined by the chief building official) will be $50,000 for renovations and $150,000 for new commercial construction.
In other council news:
• A new list of council appointments to committees was adopted, with new Couns. Adam Casemore assuming a number of duties that had previously been spread among the other council members.
• Council is working to schedule meetings with key ministers at the upcoming Union of BC Municipalities.
• The Town of Creston will proceed toward the creation of a Trails Master Plan for the town. Staff was directed to draft a terms of reference for a Council Select Committee for consideration at a future meeting.
• There will be no change to current meeting times and dates for council and committee meetings after Couns. Casemore said he can accommodate the current schedule into his work days.
• Manager of Engineering Colin Farynowski presented a grant application to enhance the asset management plan that he oversees. Funding could be available from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.