By Daryl Major

Parksville property taxes going up 4 per cent in 2017

May 3, 2017 | 12:26 PM

PARKSVILLE – City council has adopted the four per cent tax hike first proposed in the fall of 2016.

The increase means that the average homeowner will pay about $76 more this year over last, according to Mayor Marc Lefebvre. The rate is scheduled to rise by the same amount for the next four years.

Lefebvre said balancing the budget and increasing the tax rate was challenging this year with various external pressures such as significant housing growth.

“In this particular ranking we look at the infrastructure replacement and renewal program that needs to be maintained. You don’t want to get into a situation where you don’t match your taxes with your required revenue. We’ve always tried to do that.”

The City had more money to work with as well. Lefebvre said construction companies in the area had worked overtime and generated more revenue than anticipated.

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Capital projects, such as a new water intake and treatment facility and Corfield St. upgrades, are included in the $31 million of capital spending.

daryl.major@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @5minmajor