Williams Lake City Council is eyeing down an increase in property tax to prevent the use of the reserves.
During last night’s council meeting, Councillor Joan Flaspohler said property taxes would see a 6 percent increase, estimated to be around $110 a year or $9 a month for the average household.
She says while the City has maintained a good amount of reserves, it would be good to have it in the future for an emergency in case Atlantic Power closes.
“We have already done substantial reduction in the amount of capital items to try and save for our taxpayers.” says Flaspohler.
“I think we just have to be responsible and make sure that we are not using that safety blanket that could be helping us in the future.”
Flaspohler says if the City doesn’t do the 6 percent increase, they would have to utilize reserve to be able to pay for the budget being spoken on today.
She notes that taxation is what maintains the community, and makes it so the Municipality can thrive and survive, and so residents can turn on their taps, drive down the roads, and that they only happen through taxation.