Under the current program, owners of commercial and industrial buildings have been able to apply for a partial property tax rebates if all or part of the property was vacant for at least 90 consecutive days. This rebate program was introduced in 2001 as a means of more closely mirroring the effects of the Business Occupancy Tax system that was repealed in 1998. The program was recognised as having challenges since its inception.

Throughout Ontario, municipalities have found the program to be increasingly difficult to manage, budget, and administer. The application and enforcement of eligibility criteria has become particularly difficult due to loosely defined rules and limited compliance provisions.

There will be a brief presentation on the program’s background and proposed options. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions one-on-one with County and local municipal staff. Input is also being sought through a survey available at https://secure.mte.ca/simcoecounty. Survey submissions and comments will be received up until May 28th, 2018 and can be emailed to faxed to 905-878-9092 or hand delivered to the County of Simcoe Customer Service Centre, 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to the attention of the Finance Department.

County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

Contacts:

Allan Greenwood
Director, Corporate Communications
705-726-9300 ext. 1230
705-794-9301 (mobile)

Collin Matanowitsch
Communications Co-ordinator
705-726-9300 ext. 1430
705-734-8386 (mobile)