Town council had a 240-page agenda for its Sept. 15 meeting and nearly all of it was information regarding permissive tax exemptions for 13 properties belonging to nine non-profit organizations.
Under the Community Charter, municipalities can exempt non-profit groups from property taxes under certain conditions.
Only one application from a new organization was received and that was the only one that council decided to delay including in the proposed permissive tax exemption bylaw.
Clearwater Curiosity Shoppe Society (thrift store) had its application put back so staff could clarify how much of its property is used for rental income and how much is for charitable purposes.
The applications from Evergreen Acres Senior Citizens Home Society, Vavenby and District Legion Branch #259, Yellowhead Community Services Society, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, Clearwater Ski Club, Elks Lodge #499, and Central North Thompson Rod and Gun Club were approved for inclusion in the bylaw.
If all eight organizations are approved, the cost to District of Clearwater would be $24,400 for the 2016 taxation year.
Permissive tax exemptions are granted to non-profit groups for three year terms while they are given to places of worship for five year terms.