The Columbia Shuswap Regional District rejected the Okanagan Regional Library’s request for a permissive tax exemption to BC Assessment for the branches in Falkland, South Shuswap and North Shuswap, during a board meeting Oct. 20.
The BC Assessment granted the tax exemption without consulting the board.
“Im a little disappointed and very much surprised. These are privately held properties, and I think it can potential can set a very dangerous precedent. We’re shifting the tax burden on to other property owners now,” said chief administrative officer Charles Hamilton.
“I have concerns with the one in Falkland. The library rents half the building so if they’re getting a tax break, if the owners of the property is getting a tax break, the owners are getting it, not the library,” said Falkland director Rene Talbot.
“It’s going to benefit the owner of the property more than the library will.”
The board agreed to send a letter to BC Assessment asking to reconsider the ramifications of the exemption.