The County of Lennox & Addington is considering making changes to its Vacant Tax Rebate and Reduction Programs for Commercial & Industrial properties. These programs have been in place since the current property assessment system was implemented in 1998. The Province has now provided an opportunity to allow municipalities to tailor these programs based upon local needs.

Several municipalities have already made changes to these programs in order to encourage development of vacant properties and land and also to reduce the expense of providing the programs and the associated administrative costs.  

The County is seeking your input regarding potential changes to the Vacant Tax Rebate & Reduction Programs. You are invited to attend a public consultation on Monday, January 21st at 6:30pm in the Committee Room of the County Court House, located at 97 Thomas Street East, Napanee. 

You can also complete an online survey (deadline: January 31, 2019).

Complete the Survey

Click Here

 

Information on the current Vacant Unit Rebate Program

The vacant unit rebate program provides rebates to property owners who have eligible vacancies in commercial & industrial buildings. To receive a rebate, owners must apply and meet eligibility criteria before being able to receive a rebate of 30% for commercial properties and 35% for industrial properties. The annual cost of the rebate program is approximately $30,000 for the County and $40,000 for the local municipalities.

Options being considered include:

  • Keep the program as is
  • Eliminate the program immediately
  • Phase out the program over a number of years
  • Modify the current eligibility requirements or rebate entitlements

 

Information on the current Vacant & Excess Land Tax Reduction Program

Properties in the vacant & excess land subclasses receive a discount on their property taxes of 30% for commercial properties and 35% for industrial properties. The annual cost of the vacant and excess land discount is approximately $165,000 for the County and $205,000 for the local municipalities.

Options being considered include:

  • Keep the discount rates at current levels
  • Eliminate the discount rates immediately
  • Phase out the discount rates over a number of years
  • Modify the discount rates

 

Additional information on these programs and what other municipalities are doing is included in the staff report presented to County Council (link) or by contacting Stephen Fox, Director, Financial Services at sfox@lennox-addington.on.ca or 613-354-4883 ext 3243.