WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
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MAY 9, 2012 Vol. 117, Issue 90
110
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Stingrays set for new season Page 11
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALM SALMO
MONTROSE
UNDER THE BIG TOP
Pipe failure leads to water woes BY BREANNE MASSEY Times Staff
had to reflect that sentiment. “They follow the taxpayer. People say, ‘Your taxes are high,’ it’s because, recently, residential rates are all there is,” she said. Fruitvale is considered as having a stable economic base and population due to significant family and youth influence, offsetting an aging population. The village does face some hurdles to development, including little infill opportunity (available land), small geographic area and a low assessment increase. “But we haven’t really had a lot of challenges with the economic downturn,” Cresswell said.
Water restrictions are in effect for Montrose and Beaver Falls after a break occurred in the water lines early Friday morning. The water break is due to a problem with the valves, but the reason is unclear and the cause is still under investigation, said Kevin Chartres, the village’s chief administration officer. The council needs several weeks to assess and repair the water pipe leakage that destroyed roughly 10,000 cubic metres of property on the western end of 9th Avenue on the road reserve. “It was just chaos until it got light out,” explained Chartres “We need to make sure that this never happens again, and we’re hoping to get something put together very quick.” Residents were notified about the damages on Friday afternoon, and will be updated as the situation unfolds. “We’re still assessing the damage,” added Chartres. “And we need to determine if we need another surge relief valve or not.”
See FOLLOWING, Page 3
See WATER, Page 3
TIMOTHY SCHAFER PHOTO
Vinnie McNeil of West Coast Amusements helps the colourful canopy rise on the kid’s merry-go-around “Bulgey” ride as the carnival crews were in the city on the Esplanade Tuesday, preparing the midway for the Silver City Days that begin today. McNeil and Caity Whitelaw (right) were part of the many crews pulling together to complete the set up in one day.
FRUITVALE
Council keeps rein on property taxes BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
Fruitvale residents could be excused if they felt a hand in their wallets Monday night and it wasn’t their own. The village’s five-year financial plan — which includes the municipal budget — was delivered in council chambers and it wasn’t just local government tugging at taxpayers’ purse strings. In delivering a $4.4 million balanced budget, with an overall three per cent rise in general property taxes, the village will also be the muscle collecting tax dollars for no less than six other agencies and two
parcel taxes. The village has to collect Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and School District 20 taxes, policing taxes (RCMP), the Regional Hospital District requisition, the BC Assessment Authority and Municipal Finance Authority taxes, as well as the water and sewer parcel taxes. It’s unsavoury job, but it is made less painful for residents in the heart of the Beaver Valley knowing they will only be paying 1.5 per cent more on their total tax bill for 2012 — around $37 more on an average $215,400 assessed home. The bulk of the increase came from the sewer parcel tax, rising by
37.5 per cent ($22.50) to $82.50 on a total $2,599.52 tax bill — accounting for nearly 60 per cent of the 2012 increase — as the village looks to build a reserve for future infrastructure upgrades. In formulating the budget, which passed three readings Monday night, council was initially charged with the task of maintaining their village service levels, keep taxation increases below three per cent, and not run a deficit. However, with a tax base 95 per cent residential and no industrial tax base at all, Fruitvale chief administrative officer Lila Cresswell said to maintain high service levels and freeze business tax levels, taxation
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