THURSDAY APRIL 16, 2015
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PROPERTY TAXES
City looks at small increase Coun. Greir’s motion to freeze taxes fails to get enough support JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Parksville city council may be on its way to imposing what some believe is the smallest property tax increase in the country for 2015. Council instructed staff this week to craft a bylaw that calls for a 1.5 per cent increase in property taxes for this year. For a house assessed at $300,000, the property owners would pay $9 more this year than in 2014. Assessments fluctuate, so it’s possible a house assessed at $300,000 in 2014 could be worth more, or less, changing the tax bill. The city’s portion of the annual property tax bill for that $300,000 house was $1,295 in 2014. For this year, provided council passes the 1.5 per centincrease bylaw, those taxes would be $1,304. The Regional District of Nanaimo and School District 69 are also part of that annual tax bill, roughly 50 per cent. While those taxing authorities have yet to set their rates, Parksville property owners can expect their total tax bill to be roughly double the city’s portion, or about $2,600 for the house assessed at $300,000. City council reached the 1.5 per cent increase after many hours of public debate in the last two months about various services and staffSee MAYOR SAYS, page A9 ing levels.
Town up 3.5 per cent AUREN RUVINSKY
writer@pqbnews.com
Qualicum Beach’s residential tax rate is likely going up 3.5 per cent, as expected when town council passed the 2015 budget last October. This week, council passed first reading of the tax-rate bylaw which would add $20 to the tax bill for a house worth $400,000. That number doesn’t include taxes collected by the town on behalf of the school district, library, regional district, sewer district and regional hospital, which have not yet been finalized. The increase was set out in the 2015-2019 financial plan council adopted in October 2014. “The increase is comprised of a 2.5 per cent increase for inflation and one per cent for the new fire hall,” said financial administrator John Marsh.
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PETER MCCULLY PHOTO
RECOGNITION FOR VETERANS: MP James Lunney was at The Gardens at Qualicum Beach Wednesday to present resident Canadian veterans of the Second World War with a limitededition commemorative lapel pin and certificate of recognition. Above, Lunney presents a certificate to Percy DeWolfe, 99, who is also being knighted this Sunday for his services by the French Consulate. The ceremony Wednesday was part of the Canadian government’s new national tribute to mark the 75th anniversary of Canada’s engagement in the Second World War. The Residents of The Gardens at Qualicum Beach who were honoured are: Ken Archer, George Whitford, Bertram Beaven, Catherine Anne Lacharity on behalf of Victor Lacharty, Peal Teal, George Grande, Jack Coles, Howard Bouey, Alan Fraser, Don Monro, James MacGregor, Edith Martin, Frederick Manson, Murray Phipps and Bill Fawkes.
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