Who will receive RDKB property-tax exemptions in the Boundary in 2027?
Kettle Valley Golf Club is among the Boundary organizations receiving a Regional District of Kootenay Boundary permissive property-tax exemption for 2027.
Photo: Kettle Valley Golf Club
Thirteen Boundary-area exemption entries will receive permissive property-tax exemptions from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary in 2027, covering community organizations, recreational facilities, medical services and land used for public purposes.
The RDKB board adopted its 2027 permissive tax exemption bylaw Sept. 9. According to a staff report, none of the properties included in the bylaw are new to the program, and all applicants submitted the required documentation.
In Christina Lake, exemptions were approved for the Christina Lake Golf & Country Club, Christina Lake Community Association and Christina Lake Welcome Centre. The Grand Forks and rural Grand Forks entries include Phoenix Mountain Alpine Ski Society, Boundary Stock Horse Association and Grand Forks Wildlife Association, along with the privately owned property leased for the Grand Forks Rural Fire hall at 490 Starchuk Road.
Farther west, the bylaw includes Kettle Valley Golf Club in Midway, Beaverdell Community Club & Recreation Commission, Rock Creek Community Medical Society, Kettle Wildlife Association and Bridesville Community Club. Mountain Medical Services Society at Big White is also included.
Two additional exemption entries elsewhere in the regional district cover Champion Lakes Golf & Country Club, operated by the Beaver Valley Golf & Recreation Society, and Teck Metals land licensed to the Trail Wildlife Association.
Permissive tax exemptions are granted at the discretion of the regional district. Under RDKB policy, qualifying organizations may receive full or partial exemptions from regional district property taxation, with applications considered by electoral-area directors before the annual bylaw goes to the full board.
The policy covers eligible organizations providing services including recreation, education, culture, social programs and health care. The RDKB states that there is no obligation to approve an exemption.
Some exemptions are limited where property is used for commercial activity. The 2027 bylaw excludes land or improvements used for private commercial undertakings at Christina Lake Golf & Country Club, Kettle Valley Golf Club and Phoenix Mountain.
The Rock Creek Community Medical Society told the RDKB that its exemption helps it continue providing primary and mental-health services in West Boundary while making meeting space available to community organizations. Its application says the medical centre is managed entirely by volunteers.
The society's 2026 BC Assessment notice listed the property at $500,000, with $500,000 in exemptions and a rural taxable value of nil.
RDKB staff notes that when properties receive permissive exemptions, the resulting tax burden is borne by other taxable properties in the regional district's electoral areas and member municipalities. The staff report does not provide an aggregate dollar value for the 2027 exemptions.
The exemptions apply for the 2027 calendar year.
A historic mine opening near Rossland’s Kootenay Columbia Trail will be permanently sealed, with a three-week trail closure beginning Sept. 28 so crews can complete the work.