WHEREAS in 2021, a change in legislation to section 293 of the Municipalities Act (Exemptions from Taxations in Rural Municipalities) (hereinafter referred to as the “assessment exemption”) removed the assessment exemption from hamlet properties due to hamlet properties receiving greater services than residential improvements situated on agricultural land outside of a hamlet;
WHEREAS this generality that all hamlet properties are the same and that they all receive more services than agricultural property is a fallacy; and
WHEREAS only a locally elected municipal council can determine if the hamlet properties in its municipality receive more services and therefore whether an assessment exemption should or should not be applied.
BE IT RESOLVED That SARM lobby the provincial government to change legislation to give municipal councils the discretion to determine whether an assessment exemption should be applied on hamlet properties within their jurisdiction.