Property taxation is how we all pitch in to help pay for services that everyone who visits here, lives here and works here, uses and benefits from. Each property contributes towards the costs of running the city, providing those services.
It is important to make principled decisions. It helps to stay rational and not simply react emotionally to an issue without fully thinking it through and looking out for any possible unintended consequences. It also ensures decisions are consistent and everyone gets treated fairly. I believe the City should follow these principles whenever considering a grant or tax exemption.
1. Must be a registered charity
Being a registered charity is a high standard and requires a much greater degree of accountability than an unregistered group or registered non-profit society. That certification from senior levels of government is an important safeguard for White Rock taxpayers subsidizing community service organizations.
2. Must provide free services to White Rock residents
White Rock residents must receive a direct benefit. The services offered must be provided to residents of White Rock free of charge. There should be no subsidy of any business regardless of whether the profits benefit a charity or not. That would not be fair to others in the community, especially competing businesses.
3. Must own the property
The benefit of the tax subsidy must be to the benefit of the charity only. Lease or rental from a third party landowner must not be subsidized and market rates must not become distorted by property tax subsidies.
4. Property be used as the location for delivery of services
The intention is to support the delivery of services, not to subsidize businesses. Real estate investment is a business. If the land is not being used to deliver services, then it is a business investment. In the interest of fairness, no business should receive government subsidies.