â–º Listen Live
HomeNewsCampbell River to see 3.94 per cent residential tax hike next year

Campbell River to see 3.94 per cent residential tax hike next year

The City of Campbell River is pointing to its 2022 budget, ringing in the new year with a 3.94 per cent residential tax hike.

That equates to around $47 on a home of average value, estimated at $622,000, as discussed at Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 budget deliberations.

According to the city, the increase is on par with the mid-range of taxes provincewide, compared to other communities of similar size.

In fact, chief financial officer Dennis Brodie finds it’s a “strategic step” to ensure the city can keep delivering services relied on by locals.

Looking back, Mayor Andy Adams cites revenue loss brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and added financial pressure from inflation, but he says the new budget will balance that.

Adams is also pointing to increased new development revenue of $300,000 and ‘non-market change’ of $549,000, which is providing some partial relief.

“We are fortunate to have a strong residential building sector that provides building permit fee revenue and new construction revenue to the city,” he says.

“This helps with our base operating budget, and includes additional staff resources to manage the development applications, economic development and communications departments.”

Even so, significant community growth and inflationary pressures continue to add stress to existing city budgets, officials explain.

Looking ahead at 2022, city manager Deborah Sargent expects another challenging year, “as COVID-19-related pressures and uncertainties continue.”

“However, the city is in a position to begin building back,” Sargent notes. “This budget focuses on bolstering the stability and resiliency of the 10-year plan so that the city can continue providing the community services, programs and amenities residents need and value.”

The 2022 budget includes “significant investment” in recreation facilities and services, focusing on downtown revitalization and active transportation, and funding for replacing old infrastructure and emergency services equipment.

The city’s budget is scheduled for three readings on Dec. 7. It will likely be adopted at the council’s upcoming Dec. 13 meeting, in time to submit to the province before year-end.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -