After carefully considering all fiscal decisions, the District of 100 Mile House Council endorsed a five-year financial plan.
At their last regular meeting on Tuesday April 9th, they approved a six percent increase on municipal taxes to ensure the continued provision of essential services and the maintenance of infrastructure .
Director of Finance, Sheena Elias said the increase on the residential rate equates to an approximate $15 per $100,000 of assessed value and approximately $44 per $100,000 of assessed value on the business rate.
Mayor Maureen Pinkney said with the endorsement of the six percent increase in taxation the District hopes to be able to continue with their core services at a reasonable level.
“We realize all costs are up for taxpayers. Just like the taxpayers, our costs of hydro, insurance, employee wages and more have risen.”
Pinkney noted they’ve been replacing underground sewer and waterlines as roads and sidewalks are fixed, and water towers, fire trucks, roads and the bridge need to be replaced.
“With the loss of revenue from the Norboord OSB Plant, that source has to be made up somewhere else to make ends meet.” Pinkney said, “We apply for every grant possible to stretch our dollars as far as they can go. Costs have doubled and we feel we had no choice as capital reserves have been depleting over the past years, and we have to look into the future.”
Pinkney added there is a great presentation on the District’s website that outlines where the expenses are and where the revenues come from.