Despite vocal opposition, Lumby residents will see taxes climb this year. On Monday, council adopted the 2010 financial plan which includes a 1.9 per cent residential tax increase. Council had recently received a 280-name petition against higher taxes. Mayor Kevin Acton says there was no choice but to hike revenue and residents protesting for a decrease weren’t unified on where spending could be cut. “There was no consensus. People wanted the pool closed or staff fired,” he said. “There wasn’t one thing we could do. We cut as much as we could without stopping a program.” The budget will result in an additional $13.14 in taxes for the average home. Acton had supported original plans for a three per cent hike, but he believes 1.9 per cent will allow the village to continue to operate. “We will have to be a bit frugal with the things we’re doing,” he said. “It means we will have less in reserves.” Coun. Janet Green voted for final adoption, but she admits to having reservations about the budget. “They are concerned about how the two per cent is being spent,” she said of the public. “Our administration costs have gone up astronomically in four years and people are questioning that.” Part of the tax increase will go towards higher staff salaries. “It should come out of the existing budget rather than raising taxes,” said Green.
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Village denies grant for ranch:
O’Keefe Ranch won’t be rounding up any financial help from the Village of Lumby. On Monday, council turned down a grant request from the heritage site which is in Spallumcheen and owned by the City of Vernon. “We’re looking at a tight budget so giving money to someone else would be a tough sell,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. Acton added that some residents also believe the ranch doesn’t provide a direct impact on Lumby. “There’s a museum here and lots of things going on,” said Acton of financial pressures facing village taxpayers.
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