Owners of heritage buildings in Owen Sound are heading into the new year knowing their municipal taxes may actually be reduced a bit.
This after council voted to give the property owners tax refunds totalling more than 13 thousand 600 dollars.
Owen Sound Councillor and Planning and Heritage committee member Deb Haswell says this is a small gesture by the city to encourage and help the building owners maintain their historic structures.
Haswell says there is no question that it take more of an effort to maintain and keep an older building in good shape and this property tax refund will help the owners with those efforts.
The owners of 10 heritage buildings have now completed the necessary paperwork that will allow them to get a break on their taxes in the new year.
To be eligible for the refund, they must agree not to make any changes to the historic aspects of their building, and if they do, then the city must be involved in the process to ensure the integrity of the structure is not compromised.
Haswell says if the building owner makes changes taking away from his historic look, then the city will cut of their tax refund.
She says if the building is sold, then the agreement cannot be transferred to the new owner.
Haswell says they will have to work out a new agreement with the city to be eligible for any tax refund.