Final votes on taxation increases in Williams Lake will now be today, after council made an amendment yesterday.
The taxation revolves around a 16.5 percent increase for residential tax, along with projects coming up that need to be worked on.
(You can find the previous story about the taxation and projects here.)
While points were made on not wanting to continue pushing projects back, some councillors and public felt that middle ground needed to be made to try and reduce taxation.
“4th Avenue, which was a road reconstruction that we had in the budget this year, has now been not put into the budget this year,” says Joan Flaspohler, Councillor and Finance Chair.
“those funds which was close to around $700,000, will be utilized to try and reduce the taxation to the community and the mill rate.”
Flaspohler added that it’s unknown what the new percentage would be, but Council will look to have that answered later today.
“Our Chief Financial Officer’s going to draft up new bylaws. We have to rapidly get these processed, because we’ve changed them.” says Flaspohler.
“We would’ve voted on those tonight (yesterday), so that he can start progressing so that we are ready by May, when we have to have a bylaw completed for our tax rates for the municipality.”
As for the community members that showed up to hear and speak on the taxation, some felt as it needs to happen to get projects done, while others saw an increase not being the answer.
Council will have their meeting tonight at 6:00, where they look to make their final decision.