Vernon tax hike approved

Photo: Contributed

Vernon city council has approved an overall 3.4 per cent tax hike, after weeks of deliberation including a couple of marathon budget sessions.

The budget addresses a strong demand for beginning to fix some of Vernon’s infrastructure, with a 1.9 per cent increase in infrastructure spending, and 1.5 per cent overall tax increase for operations.

Coun. Bob Spiers says the infrastructure tax will likely be around several more years.

"It's a good thing as long as the 1.9 per cent goes to true infrastructure maintenance and replacement, as opposed to new fancy ideas that may come down the pipe," said Spears

The 2015 proposed budget continues the cumulative 1.9 per cent infrastructure annual tax rate increase, with all resulting revenues directed to recapitalization of core assets. In 2015, this program will generate $1.7 million to be reinvested in infrastructure.

The mid-term, 10-year target is a stabile reinvestment level of $7 million per year. The program focuses on items such as streets, pipes, buildings, fleet and public spaces.

The average impact on Vernon taxpayers can’t be calculated until all the new property assessment numbers are in.

— By Kevin Rothwell