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Library gets tax break

Armstrong council has approved a $2,700 tax exemption for the Okanagan Regional Library branch
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Okanagan Regional Library serves residents in Armstrong and Spallumcheen.

The City of Armstrong is rallying behind the local library.

Council has approved a $2,700 tax exemption for the Okanagan Regional Library branch, which is in leased space in the Country Court Mall.

“Armstrong is the first one (community) to grant a tax exemption like this,” said Coun. Shirley Fowler.

Although the mall is privately owned, the space leased by ORL is eligible for a tax exemption under provincial legislation.

The owner of the mall has indicated that any savings from the reduced property taxes will be passed on to ORL.

“ORL has issued letters of intent to apply for exemptions in all jurisdictions where a library branch is leased in a taxable property,” said Terry Martens, chief financial officer, in a report to council.

Fowler says the tax exemption for the library branch made sense.

“It’s a community service and we want to make sure it’s viable,” she said.

An exemption request from the Royal Canadian Legion for the bar component of the operation has been stalled.

“We need more information,” said Fowler.

The bar component of the legion is currently taxable while the non-profit component is exempt.