Following a report by Councillor Darcy Striker outlining a recent meeting with Kent Institution, several other members of council expressed concern about the prison-owned fields that are becoming tall with dry grass, and becoming a potential fire hazard. The fields are actually owned by Mountain Institution.
Kent has also requested "a reassessment of the true value of (the prisons') assets," said Mayor Van Laerhoven, "so we will get a fairer grant-in-lieu."
While the federally-owned prisons don't pay taxes, the District receives a grant back from the government to help cover the costs that are drawn from having a prison in the area.
"I think they're getting a deal right now but I guess they get to decide what that deal is exactly," Van Laerhoven said.