Beaver Staff
Lennox and Addington County officials are seeking the public’s input on possible changes to an existing tax rebate program for vacant commercial and industrial properties. Currently, owners of vacant units in those two classes can apply to receive rebates from taxes.
Vacant commercial properties can qualify for a 30-per-cent rebate and vacant industrial units can qualify for 35 per cent. At present, the County’s director of financial and physical services Stephen Fox estimates the cost of that program is $30,000 for Lennox and Addington and $40,000 for its lower-tier municipalities. There’s also a program for vacant and excess land in those categories offering a similar percentage discount for unused property.
The cost of that program is about $165,000 annually for the County and $205,000 for lower-tier municipalities. Fox says options being considered are keeping the rates at current levels, eliminating the discounts immediately, phasing out the discounts over a number of years, or modifying discount rates. An online survey is available at www.lennox-addington.on.ca until Jan. 31. There will also be a public consultation session Monday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the committee room at the County Court House on Thomas Street.