Review of church tax exemptions proposed

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

Osoyoos town councillor CJ Rhodes wants the town to reconsider its list of tax exemptions, specifically those for religious institutions.

On Monday, council voted to adopt the 2019 tax exemption bylaw, which includes seven local churches completely exempt from taxation in 2020.

Rhodes asked town staff if there was a way to review or change the list.

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“It bothers me because many of those organizations that are on that list, and I understand how controversial and how sensitive it is, are highly profitable organizations that could probably afford to pay a portion of the tax or all of the tax,” he said.

“Maybe it would be time for a municipality like Osoyoos to step up to the plate and review that process.”

Director of Financial Services Jim Zakall said the bylaw will be presented earlier in 2020 to give council time to review the list of exemptions and make changes.