smart meter update PAGE A2
CHINESE VISITORS PAGE A15
’roos movin’ on PAGE A18
OBSERVER QUESNEL - CARIBOO
SINCE 1908
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
VOL. 99 NO. 45
Council looks at status quo tax increase Quesnel City Council met for the first time to formally discuss the 2013 budget. The purpose of the meeting was for council to: Review the preliminary budget overview, including the proposed operating budget of each department; review the supplementary budget items list. These are new spending items that are operational in nature and requested by council, staff or committees of council. Dollar figures or percentages referred to in Budget 2013 news are subject to change and should not be considered final until the budget process is complete. Council had previously directed staff to prepare a “status quo” budget with the options for tax shifting from the heavy industrial class to the other classes included. The status quo budget would require a 3.4 per cent tax increase. This budget does not include any personnel or service reductions. It also doesn’t consider any supplemental (new spending) items, or increases to reserves, such as the Quesnel Works: Capital Reinvestment Program. During the operating budget review, council opted not to make any tax shift from the major industrial class to other classes, such as residential or business. This keeps the percentage of taxation revenues that class provides at 62 per cent. Council also reviewed a number of other budget items, including the supplemental list, Council expenses and community support items (funding provided to other organizations to run programming). This information will return to future budget meetings for discussion and formal adoption. Council also reviewed how the city stands in comparison with other communities across B.C. thanks to statistics provided
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by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. For the average residential property, Quesnel ranked 120th out of 161 (the higher the number, the lower the taxes, utility fees and other charges). For major industry, Quesnel sits at fifth of 78; for light industry, 20th of 134, and for business, 56th of 161.
Key dates • Feb. 18 – capital budget review (capital projects include items such as equipment, paving projects and infrastructure improvements). • Feb. 25 – public input session. Council will deal with a number of other budget items in March and April, including: reviewing the five-year financial plan; setting tax rates for the various classes; reviewing early approval lists and determining appropriate reserve allocations. • May 6 – Final budget bylaws adopted
Budget 2013 quick facts • The draft budget shows the city collecting about $13.25 million in taxation, up from 2012, when it collected $12.8 million. • A 3.4 per cent tax increase would be required to meet this budget. • The average home assessment in Quesnel is $162,494 ($162,137 in 2012, an increase of 0.2 per cent.) • A 3.4 per cent tax increase means the average house, whose assessment increased by the average of 0.2 per cent, would be charged $22.62 more for municipal taxes in 2013 than 2012. • Each one per cent tax increase equals approximately $125,000. • Major industry provides 62 per cent of the city’s general taxes. • All dollar values in the budget are subject to change.
Pacific Salmon Foundation Dinner, Dance & Auction SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2013 Quesnel Seniors’ Centre Tickets available at Frank’s Supermarket, D’arcy’s Glass, Green Tree Health & Wellness & Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Wonders of Quesnel Winter Carnival It was family fun at West Fraser Timber Park Saturday, with crowds enjoying all the activities, food and exercise. For more photos see PAGE A3 and A13.
Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber R. Watt! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.
Mikey McDonald photo
It’s our 3rd Anniversary! Winnie says it’s time to celebrate Feb 11 Free Breakfast for Seniors 75+ (7 am -9 am)
All Day Special: Cup Cakes, Delicious food for everyone (Traditional) and more... 626 Front St. • 250-992-5115