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Williams Lake proposes two per cent tax increase for business, zero for other rates

City council gives three readings “hold the line” budget
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If approved Williams Lake five-year financial plan would see a two percent tax hike for businesses in 2017 while residential and industrial tax rates would not be increased.

City council gave the first three readings to the city’s five-year financial plan during Tuesday’s regular meeting where Mayor Walt Cobb described the budget as “reasonable.”

“There was a huge assessment change in the different categories, residential particularly went way up, so the decision has been made to hold the line as far as the residential rate goes,” Cobb said. “We have always been the highest on the industrial tax list and this year they got a reduction on their assessments so we decided to hold the mill rate the same.”

Finance chair Coun. Scott Nelson said the budget is pro-growth, but conservative.

Extra money generated from the two per cent tax increase will go toward paving — about $1.4 million, Cobb and Nelson said.

“We put extra effort into bringing something forward that meets the needs of the community in transition,” Nelson said, noting the city’s total budget is about $25 million, with $10 million going to capital works.

The parcel tax roll review for 2017 will be available on May 9, at city hall for inspection, challenges or complaints.

Council also approved a three-year pavement marking contract for the total tendered amount of $208,498, excluding taxes, to Line West Ltd.

Approval was also given for purchase of a hook lift truck for the price of $191,192, including applicable taxes.



Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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