A group of five representatives from Kootenai Community Centre Society arrived at the Oct. 22 regular Creston town council meeting, hoping to get another kick at the town’s property tax exemption decisions.
The bylaw was passed before the meeting’s end, though, as question period is one of the last items on every meeting agenda. Without an appointment to appear as a delegation — a KCCS representative spoke at the previous meeting — there was no opportunity for further input and the group left without being heard.
KCCS executive director Lendina Bambrick said that the criteria used by the committee that recommended that some KCCS properties should not get a 100 per cent property tax exemption did not follow guidelines.
“The report clearly outlines the criteria (for a tax exemption) and ‘compete with private sector businesses’ is not one of the criteria, “she said. “So we are feeling the process was flawed in that regard.”
This year is the first that town council has set a cap to limit tax exemptions, forcing the committee to recommend less than full exemptions on most non-profit properties.
Council Briefs
•A request for a $1,500 discretional grant to fund a bursary for a Kootenay Farm School student was referred to 2014 budget discussions. Laura Hannant, facilitator of partnerships for community development from the College of the Rockies, reported that plans for the farm school are well underway and that a waiting list includes twice as many expressions of interest than the program will be able to accommodate in the first year.
She said donations for bursaries are being sought in order to reduce the tuition burden and to send a positive message of support to prospective young farmers.
•A delegation from Canadian Pacific Railway, led by Rick Poznikoff, senior manager of community relations and aboriginal affairs, made a presentation about the railway’s emergency preparedness.
•A letter was received from Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce inviting council members to participate in the 23rd annual Creston Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 7.
•A request from the Lower Kootenay Band to use Millennium Park from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 22 and to waive the $15 booking fee for a National Addictions Week awareness event was approved.