Projected tax increase soars as items added to Vernon budget

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 23, 2012 5:00 PM
  City of Vernon officials are scrambling as the projected tax increase balloons.  Staff was instructed by council to bring back more information on expenditures and revenue as the potential hike in property taxes was first at 8.5 per cent Monday morning and then 6.3 per cent later that afternoon. "I'd like some options to get us within striking distance of 2.3 per cent," said Coun. Brian Quiring. Council has established a tax range of zero to 2.3 per cent. A number of items were added to the budget Monday including renovating the current library for city staff offices, road rehabilitation, sidewalks in some neighbourhoods and $80,000 for a core review of city services. Other proposed items were abandoned including the third phase of the Polson Greenway on 29th Street. Council will consider its next steps once staff presents further information. "We'll be disappointed if we don't knock three or four per cent off," said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. When asked if a zero per cent tax increase is possible, Sawatzky said, "That would be our dream. We have to see all of the facts to know what's reasonable." Watch for more in Wednesday's Morning Star.