Powell River property owners will shoulder a lower tax increase in 2011 than in previous years, but a tax increase nonetheless.
City of Powell River officials have budgeted for a 3.8 per cent increase on residential properties and one per cent on business properties. Water fees will increase by 10 per cent and sewer fees by three per cent.
Tax rates were part of the information presented at a public meeting about the five-year financial plan, held on April 6. Fewer than 10 residents attended the meeting.
Part of the goal of the financial plan, said Councillor Chris McNaughton, is to hold major industrial taxes to $2.25 million for five years. Another goal is to move three property classes—major industry, light industry and business—to the same tax ratio in relation to the residential class. The strategy is to reach the provincial average, which currently sits at about three to one.
Another objective is to “continue to identify opportunities to build upon a sustainable community within the limited resources that we have,” McNaughton said.
Dave Douglas, director of financial services, gave an overview of the 2011-2015 financial plan. He said in his world, financial sustainability is a goal for the city. “A sustainable future is where we are headed,” he said.
Increases in the general operating fund for 2011 include $254,776 for transportation services. While transit service has expanded, staff have recommended an increase in fees. Council has approved a $.25 increase in rates for adults, seniors, students and college students, effective July 1, 2011. Staff have also recommended increasing the fee for HandyDart service by $.50 a trip. The recommendation to increase the rate from $1.50 a trip to $2 will be coming to council in the future.
General operating fund capital and projects include funds to lease equipment for the city’s wide area network, a system that allows computer connections between parks, recreation and culture, public works and city hall. There is also $50,000 allocated for planning for a new fire hall and $60,000 to repair a retaining wall on Westview Avenue. The city has budgeted $500,000 for sidewalk projects, hoping to receive 75-per-cent funding from BC’s Towns for Tomorrow program.
As well, $66,000 has been allocated for habitat compensation, $20,000 for seawalk habitat shoreline enhancements and $15,000 for the barge facility habitat compensation.
New capital in general operating totals about $2.5 million, which includes projects to improve accessibility, a closed circuit TV system in the RCMP building and upgrades to washrooms and electrical pedestals at Willingdon Beach campsite. Funding sources for projects include grants and reserves.
In the sewer operating fund, projects include stage three of the liquid waste management plan, a co-treatment study, a plan for implementing water metres in businesses, upgrading drainage lines on Joyce Avenue and replacing lines on Willingdon Avenue. The budget also includes about $7.3 million for the design and construction of a co-treatment system. The city has applied for 100-per-cent funding from the Innovations Fund, a program administered by the Union of BC Municipalities for the project, which would see city sewage treated at Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River division.
Water projects in 2011 include funds to rehabilitate cast iron mains in Townsite, upgrading fire flows at the Wharf at Westview and continuing with the water main replacement program.
