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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN-19-084 - Property Tax Exemption - Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans ClubREPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: October 28, 2019 SUBMITTED BY: Saleh Saleh,Director of Revenue, 519-741-2200 extension 7346 PREPARED BY: Saleh Saleh,Director ofRevenue, 519-741-2200 extension 7346 WARD (S) INVOLVED: ALL DATE OF REPORT:October 15, 2019 REPORT NO.: FIN-19-084 SUBJECT: Property Tax Exemption- Army, Navy and Air ForceVeterans Club ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That the City of Kitchenercontinue to provide an exemption from taxationfor the property leased by the Army, Navy and Air ForceVeteransClubfor a ten-year period ending December 31, 2029. REPORT: Pursuant tosection 6.1 ofthe Assessment Act, Council may pass by-laws for exempting from taxation, except for local improvement and school taxes, any land used or occupied as a memorial home, clubhouse or athletic grounds by persons who served in the armed forces of His or Her Majesty or an ally of His or Her Majesty in any war. For a number of years, the City of Kitchener has passed a by-law granting exemptionsfor Legions and Veterans’ Service Clubs. Under subsection 6.1(3) ofthe Assessment Act, these exemptions may only be granted for a maximum period of ten years. The existing by-law expires December 31, 2019. On December 3, 2018, Bill 57, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act, 2018 received Royal Assent. Included in Bill 57, was a change in the Assessment Actwhereby Royal Canadian Legion memorial homes, clubhouses and athletic grounds are now exempt from property taxation. However, property occupied by the Army, Navy and Air Force VeteransClub was excluded from this exemption. Staff are requesting that Council pass another by-law exempting the land occupied by the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Club fromCity taxation for a ten-year period ending December 31, 2029. It is expected that the Region of Waterloo will provide a similar exemption for the Region’s portion of the property taxes. Further, other area municipalities will also be passing by-laws granting similarexemptions. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance. 4 - 1 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic vision through the delivery of core service. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: It is estimated that the annual cost to the City of Kitchener will be approximately $5,000 annually. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jonathan Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services 4 - 2 BY-LAW NUMBER OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER (Being a by-law to exemptthe Army, Navy and AirForce Veterans Club from the city portion ofmunicipal property taxes) WHEAREAS pursuant to the Assessment Act, Section 6.1 Kitchener City Council may pass by-laws for exempting from taxation, except for local improvement and school taxes, for a period not exceeding 10 years, any land used or occupied as a memorial home, clubhouse or athletic grounds by persons who served in the armed forces of His or Her Majesty or an ally of His or Her Majesty in any war. AND WHEREAS the membership of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Club are clubs specifically geared for persons who have served in the armed forces of His or Her Majesty or an ally of His or Her Majesty in any war. NOW, THEREFORE, COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: 1.Thatthe Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Club are hereby exempt from the city portion of municipal property tax, except for local improvements and school taxes. This applies to any land used and occupied as a memorial home, clubhouse or athletic grounds by persons who served in the armed forces of His or Her Majesty or an ally of His or Her Majesty in any war. 2.T his by-law shall take effect on January 1, 2020 and remain in effect for 10 years as long as the land is occupied and used for the purposes of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Club. 3.This by-law may be renewed at any time during the last year of the exemption. PASSED at the Council Chambers in the City of Kitchener, thisday of , A.D. 2019. Mayor City Clerk 4 - 3