Tax hike proposed for budget; Parcel tax could kickstart Transportation For Tomorrow

by Kevin Parnell - Lake Country Calendar posted Nov 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM— updated Nov 27, 2015 at 11:07 AM
The District of Lake Country will be asked to pick one of four options to fund the 20-year, $30-million Transportation for Tomorrow Plan at a special budget meeting on Tuesday. District staff is recommending a proposal that would levy a $100 parcel tax in 2016 following by a series of tax increases over three years beginning in 2017, to raise the $30 million dollars necessary to deal with its 200 kilometres of roads, many of which are aging and in need of repair.The parcel tax would collect around $500,000 for the first year of the Transportation for Tomorrow Plan. "This would give us an opportunity to begin the program with some confidence that targeted projects be executed and completed in accordance with the programs identified in the Transportation for Tomorrow Plan," wrote Lake Country chief administrative officer Alberto De Feo in a report to council. Along with the one-time parcel tax to begin implementing the plan, the recommendation calls for subsequent tax hikes in 2017, 2018 and 2019 at a rate of approximately 2.27 to 2.32 per cent. On top of that council will also meet on its regular 2016 budget on Tuesday which at this time is proposing a 2.85 per cent tax increase next year.The Transportation For Tomorrow funding strategy is separate from the budget discussions.(more)