The City of Barrie wants to know if the public wants to eliminate the vacant land tax discount program

The program provides a 35% discount on vacant land properties which amounts to $1.5 million a year

The City of Barrie is looking for the public’s direct input regarding the vacant land property tax discount.

Barrie residents are encouraged to provide their feedback on a survey which opened Tuesday. The survey will close on March 31st and will be reviewed by city council later in the spring.

The city provides a 35 per cent tax break for industrial land properties and a 30 per cent break for commercial land properties which are unoccupied. With 430 vacant properties in the city, approximately $1.5 million in tax revenue was been discounted and redistributed among other tax classes in 2019.

The survey asks a series of questions to see if the population wants the program removed. The city is prepared to eliminate the program in one or two years, but may keep the program if there is enough public interest in doing so.

In 2018, the city conducted a similar program which provides the same discount to vacant unit. Said program was terminated by city council when public input was reviewed.

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