Vernon tax increase rises slightly

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Jan 28, 2014 at 6:00 AM

Vernon’s financial plan remains fluid. Not quite two weeks after lowering a tax increase for 2014, Vernon council decided Monday to push the tax rate up from 3.1 to 3.23 per cent. The hike, which will cover the $34,000 needed to clear snow from inaccessible sidewalks, was opposed by Coun. Bob Spiers. “I’d rather have put it off to find a different solution,” said Spiers, adding that existing money, not raising taxes, could have gone to the expenditure. “I could identify $34,000 at the drop of a hat.” But while he voted against the tax increase, Spiers admits, “It’s a minor change.” The budget bylaw must still receive final adoption from council and it’s possible that the numbers could change again.