Armstrong Property Owners To Face Three Percent Hike In Taxes - Lumby, Enderby councils give third readings to zero budgets

Kate Bouey & Betty Selin 105.7 SUNFM 4/19/2011

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Armstrong residents are facing a three percent property tax increase this year. City council held a special public meeting Monday to go over the figures. ``The municipal portion of the taxes in Armstrong will see an increase of $19.29 to the average assessed home of $310,000,'' explains Mayor Chris Pieper. He says two percent will be spent on infrastructure and another one percent on operating costs. ``It was a pretty tough struggle to do that but when you look at the reality of increases in fuel, energy and all those other things...they're impacting all of us,'' says Pieper. Armstrong's funding of the joint Parks and Recreation function is jumping 28 percent, from $346,000 last year to $444,900 this year. The mayor concedes that that is a big chunk of the tax increase. Council is expected to give third reading to the 2011 finanacial plan next week.

Some other local councils appear to have succeeded in their quests for zero spending this year. Village of Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton says council gave third reading to its zero budget Monday night. There was a similar occurence at Enderby council on Monday where no tax increase is forecast. Treasurer Geri Ferguson says city spending levels will remain at the same level as last year. Ferguson says municipal officials are seeking grants for some projects, including for more water metering. She says money is being used from reserves for water, sewer and storm upgrades to four blocks of Highway 97A. The budget is expected to be adopted on May 2nd.