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Council endorses 2.89 per cent property tax hike, agrees to probe idea of spending review
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RICHMOND 2013
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2015
Taxes to rise despite calls for review
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Minoru Chapel gets a new roof 3 / Kata king crowned again 19
28 PAGES
The Year of the Haggis
2015 Capital Budget
by Matthew Hoekstra Staff Reporter Property taxes are expected to rise $47 for the average homeowner in Richmond after city council gave preliminary approval to the 2015 budgets Monday despite calls for a spending review. The 2.89 per cent tax hike this year is on top of utility fee increases of $18 to $34 already adopted by council. Salaries and benefits, which account for half of all day-to-day spending, are rising by $2.6 million—or three per cent over last year. RCMP contract costs are also up, along with Medical Services Plan, WorkSafe BC and BC Hydro fees. One per cent of the tax increase is again earmarked for the city’s reserve account, which funds infrastructure projects. The city is facing a growing backlog of capital projects, according to staff, and the one per cent increase—representing $1.8 million in taxes—will help fund projects such as pools, community centres, libraries and public safety buildings. “If adequate funding is not in place to address current new capital and infrastructure replacement, the city will be in an unenviable position of trying to catch-up,” noted manager Melissa Shiau in a report. Coun. Ken Johnston, who voted against the budget with councillors Chak Au and Carol Day, challenged council policy that aims to maintain service levels. “How do we know all the current programs should be maintained?” he said. “To me that just becomes status quo.”
•$49.6 million for infrastructure: Horseshoe Slough pump station rebuild, Burkeville drainage, water main replacements, residential water metering and paving, including resurfacing Bridgeport overpass •$12.3 million for parks: Lang Park redevelopment, development of the Garden City Lands phase 1, Middle Arm/Hollybridge pier, Seine Net Loft deck repair and The Gardens Agricultural Park •$10 million for land: Funding for opportunities as they arise •$7.9 million for equipment: computer software, vehicle replacement, fire truck replacement •$3.5 million for buildings: South Arm Community Centre upgrades, city hall lighting and elevators, works yard repairs, trailer for Richmond Animal Shelter •$1.2 million for affordable housing: boosting reserves, updating plans and policies, Kiwanis project •$400,000 for child care: upgrades at four city-owned facilities
Although the budget did win preliminary approval in a 6-3 vote, Johnston gained support for his motion to have staff explore the idea of a sweeping review of city services. “I understand it’s an expensive proposition, but the federal government… did it and saved billions,” he said. “The point is...to ensure value added.” See Page 5
Katie Lawrence photo Joe McDonald addresses the haggis during Gong Haggis Fat Choy on Monday. The annual Robbie Burns day meets Chinese New Year celebration took place at South Arm Community Centre. See story, page 23.
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