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Journal ASHCROFT ▼ CACHE CREEK
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Thursday, April 30, 2015
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Ashcroft plans tax hike of 2.5 per cent
The annual Ashcroft Communities in Bloom plant swap, held last Sunday, continues to be a successful fundraising community event as gardeners stock up on proven yard plants. (Left) Samantha shows her preference for raised beds. Local CiB chair Andrea Walker says every year is better than the last.
Ashcroft Council is planning a tax increase of 2.5 per cent this year for residential properties, which is lower than anticipated. Council gave approval to the first three readings of Bylaw 794, its 2015 Five-Year Financial Plan, at the Apr. 27 Council meeting. It also gave preliminary readings to Tax Rates Bylaw 795. Both bylaws need one more final reading before they are adopted. Coun. Alf Trill asked about a large increase in user fees in the fourth year (2018) of the fiveyear plan. Administrator Michelle Allen said the increased figures represent costs associated with the new water treatment plant once it’s in place. The Village is expecting to collect $505,000 in user fees this year. They increase for the following to years to $648,962 in 2017 and then jump to $750,092 in 2018. “That’s a big jump,” agreed Mayor Jack Jeyes. Property taxes account for less than onethird of the 2015 $3,626,256 municipal budget. Just over $1 million comes from property taxes; plus $500,000 in user fees; just under half a million in accumulated surplus; over $800,000 in expected grants from various levels of government and income from several other areas make up the budget revenue. Ashcroft is holding a town hall meeting on May 4 to present the budget and listen to feedback.
Cache Creek taxes going up 4 per cent Cache Creek Council gave the first three readings to Tax Rates Bylaw 777 at its Apr. 27 meeting. The rates anticipate a four per cent increase in residential taxes this year, and 2.3 per cent thereafter. The bylaw needs one more reading to adopt this year’s $4,439,939 budget. The five-year financial plan was presented at a town hall meeting on Apr. 14. The Village is still anticipating over half a million dollars in revenue from the Landfill for the next two years; $850,000 in government grants; nearly half a million in user fees; $353,158 in property taxes; and assorted income from other areas.
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