Councillors vote: Childcare Society exempted from taxes
Whistler Question
June 19, 2008
By Megan Grittani-Livingston

… After weighing the possibility of setting a precedent of uniformity on tax exemption requests by non-profit organizations, Council decided to approve just one permissive exemption at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Pemberton Childcare Society had applied for a property tax exemption … and the matter was referred to staff.

VOP Manager of Finance Nikki Gilmore wrote in a staff report that the exemption for the Childcare Society would cost the municipality $1,787.93 per year, but she expected other groups whose exemption requests were previously denied would want to reapply if the Childcare Society’s wish was granted, further costing the Village and taxpayers. Gilmore recommended either not granting any permissive exemptions, or approving them for the Childcare Society, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Pemberton Lions Club and the Pemberton Wildlife Association. Council declined to provide exemptions for the latter four groups in 2006.

Citing the vital importance of child care, Helmer recommended approving the Childcare Society’s request and letting the other groups reapply if they so desire.

“It’s fundamental to the community that we have (child care),” Helmer said, while acknowledging her stance didn’t “speak to (the) point of equity across the board” suggested by MacKenzie.

Councillors unanimously voted in favour …. to grant a five-year tax exemption to the Childcare Society, beginning in 2009.