The B.C. government has distributed $1,214,808 in compensation for municipal property taxes to the City of Kamloops.

Altogether, the Province has distributed nearly $16 million in compensation for municipal property taxes to 56 communities around B.C.

Grants-in-lieu of property taxes are distributed every November and reimburse municipalities for services that benefited government properties, such as municipally run sewers, roads and fire protection.

Grants are issued in accordance with the Municipal Aid Act and are payable on land owned by the provincial government, such as courthouses, provincial government office buildings and warehouses.

Schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes and are not part of the grants-in-lieu calculation. Other provincial assets such as highways, forests, parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation are also excluded from compensation under the act.

Since 2002, the Government of British Columbia has distributed more than $254 million in grants-in-lieu to B.C. communities. A portion of the funds is paid by each community to its regional district, and both levels of local government use grants to help pay for local services.

Quotes:

Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson –

“The benefits of this grant are twofold. It provides a reliable flow of revenue to the City of Kamloops and it helps relieve the pressure of property taxes for the local ratepayers.”

Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson –

“This grant is unconditional and provides the city with complete flexibility to choose its own spending priorities. It is a predictable source of revenue that can be applied to providing public services or capital expenditures.”