McGifford says Alberni taxes remain low

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City of Port Alberni’s director of finance Andrew McGifford says Port Alberni taxes remain low, despite a proposed 17% increase this year.

McGifford says Port Alberni had the second lowest total residential property taxes and charges among similarly sized cities in BC, and if the increase is accepted, we will slip to 6th spot.

“We moved from second lowest to sixth lowest if all those other communities did not raise their fees at all, and I know that won’t be the case, but that’s just an example of where we sit,” he said. “I think we’re probably going to be remaining within that 2nd to 6 position of the communities of around 20,000 people. We’re still on the lower end.”

While other island cities are looking at inflationary increases of 7-8%, Port Alberni is looking to also address an infrastructure deficit with the 16.86% increase.

City Council will host two public engagement sessions over the next month, and have 4 council meetings to hammer out this year’s budget and the 5-year financial plan.