Belleville council, September 25, 2017. (Photo: John Spitters / Quinte News)
Soon, commercial/industrial property owners will no longer get local tax rebates on vacant space in the City of Belleville.
City council has voted to phase out the Vacant Unit Rebate Program over the next couple of years.
Councillor Paul Carr made the motion to get rid of the rebates, which will cost the city about $300,000 in lost taxes this year.
This year, commercial and industrial property owners who meet the criterion could still get a rebate of 30% on their local taxes, but next year that percentage will drop to 15%, and in 2019, there will be no vacancy rebates.
Councillor Panciuk voted against eliminating the rebates, believing committed property owners deserved help to spruce up their properties to get vacant space leased. However, Panciuk added that he might be able to support Carr’s idea of using the money usually rebated to provide support to local businesses.
Mayor Taso Christopher and Councillor Jack Miller declared conflicts of interest on the issue, and left the room during the debate and vote.
