DAWSON CREEK -- The City of Dawson Creek has turned down a request from the South Peace Health Services Society for property tax reimbursement.
During a council meeting August 12, 2024, Mayor Darcy Dober and council voted against the refund citing a dwindling grant budget for 2024.
While they acknowledged the city’s responsibility to support healthcare and locum houses, they noted that the reimbursement would consume nearly 80% of the remaining $6,000 grant allocation.
The society manages two leases in Dawson Creek: Butlery House and Locum House on 106th Avenue. The reimbursement request was for Locum House, which is owned by the city in partnership with the society, and provides short-term accommodations for locum doctors and nurses stationed there.
“Since offering the Locum house service we have had 14 Doctors stay at the house for a total of 97 days,” said President Chris Norbury in the letter presented to council.
The society sought to recover just over $4,000 through the Permissive Property Tax Exemption program, which allows non-profit organizations that benefit the community to receive refunds.
However, the charity did not submit a formal application for reimbursement, instead sending a letter to the council a day before the July 31st deadline.
“Through the partnership we have formed between the City of Dawson Creek, the South Peace Division of Family Practice and the SPHSS we are doing great work ensuring that residents of Dawson Creek and the region have access to the best health care available to them,” read the letter.
CJDC-TV contacted the South Peace Health Services Society for a reaction, but they declined to comment.
