Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Residents should see no tax increase

Lachlan Labere - Sicamous Eagle Valley News Published: March 16, 2010 5:00 PM

Sicamous residents can expect to see little or no change to their property taxes this year. Last Wednesday, Sicamous council gave first and second reading to the district’s 2010 to 2019 financial plan. Financial services director Ruth Walper said the plan shows a zero tax per cent increase for 2010, and a 1.5 per cent increase each year after for the 10-year period. She explained this was done by spreading out some of the capital out over a longer period and by reducing the amount put into reserves. Elaborating on the financial plan, district administrator Alan Harris explained that 2009’s growth figures were used for 2010, resulting, essentially, in a zero increase. “If your assessment went up, you may see an increase, you may see a decrease, but the overall average will be zero,” said Harris.

Council also was supported $53,630 in municipal grant-in-aid requests – the total amount asked for by 16 individual community organizations. Grant applications were as follows: Community Banner Project - $500; Eagle Valley Arts Council - $3,500; Eagle Valley Community Support Society- $5,000; Eagle Valley Grooming Society - $15,000; Eagle Valley Rescue Society - $2,000; Kids Help Phone - $500; Royal Canadian Legion Branch #99 Ladies Auxiliary - $5,130; Royal Canadian Legion Branch #99 - $2,000; Sicamous and District Historical Society - $4,500; Sicamous and District Senior Centre Society - $2,500; SMART CL - $3,000; Eagle Valley Sports and Leisure Association - $3,000; Sicamous Skating Club - $1,500; Shuswap Community Foundation - $1,000; Rocky Mtn. Rangers - $3,500; Citizens On Patrol - $1,000. The total grant figure is below the $54,354 budgeted for grant funding. A public hearing on the financial plan is scheduled for March 24, 7 p.m. and the Seniors Activity Centre.

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