STAVE WEST IMPROVEMENTS
FATAL TRUCK CRASH
OUTLAWS DROP OPENER
District allocates funds for capital costs
Driver loses life when truck goes over embankment
Mission loses to Ridge Meadows in game one
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2012
CCNA
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85¢+ GST
Friday, February 19, 2016
SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908
Secondary suite owners made to pay
MASTER CHEF CHALLENGE
District cracks down on unauthorized suites Mission Record
Owners of unauthorized secondary suites can expect to receive a bill in the mail from the District of Mission. Council has voted to crack down on homeowners who have not registered their suites. This year, approximately 850 secondary suites are registered with the district. Owners pay double the annual fee for water, sewer and garbage pickup. On average, that equates to an extra $1,174 per suite. However, an estimated 900 unauthorized suites are not paying those additional fees. “There’s nothing wrong with basement suites if they’re properly operated,” said Mission Mayor Randy Hawes after Monday’s council meeting. “I have a problem when 850 suite owners are paying, and all of those others aren’t paying. And we have ignored those others. It’s not right. There is a big inequity here.” Hawes said the fees being paid by the suite owners total close to $1 million a year, meaning the district could earn an additional $1 million or more if all suite owners paid the double fees. Staff have compiled a list of addresses that are believed to have unauthorized suites. Those will be sent a letter,
informing them they will be charged double for water, sewer and garbage on their 2016 municipal taxes. The homeowners can appeal the extra charges and have their home inspected to prove that no suite exists. Coun. Jenny Stevens supported the motion – as did all of council – saying it was about time that something was done. “This is a good example of council, acting on behalf of the interests of the community as a whole.” Stevens said secondary suites are needed in the community as a form of affordable housing and mortgage helpers. However, she added that when honest citizens are paying the fees and others are not, then something has to be done. “They are cheating the rest of the community, because if they were paying their full amount then perhaps the rest of the taxpayers wouldn’t have to pay such high taxes,” said Stevens. Approval has already been given to hire another bylaw enforcement officer to help with the secondary suite program, but staff have asked for an additional full-time tax clerk and a halftime administration clerk to help with the process. The cost will be approximately $113,000, plus $10,000 for computers and other equipment.
Jacqueline Clark, an accountant with the District of Mission, is one of 40 finalists on the third season of the hit CTV television series MasterChef Canada. The first episode aired on Sunday with contestants attempting to qualify as a top 14 finalist. While Clarke was not guaranteed a spot in the Top 14, her meal was good enough to earn her a second chance. She will compete again this Sunday, at 7 p.m. on CTV to try and earn a spot in the Top 14. For more, see Page 5. PHOTO COURTESY OF CTV
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