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KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY
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APRIL 18, 2018 | Volume 31 No. 31
GOURLAY SPEAKS TODAY’S WEATHER Sun and clouds High 12 C Low 1 C
IN THE SWIM
Driver in fatal hit/ run apologizes in courtroom
Kamloops Sunray Charlotte Balkin is off to Synchro National Championships
NEWS/A5
SPORTS/A23
Two per cent tax increase CITY IS FUNDING ANNUAL BUDGET OF $107 MILLION total property assessments and Tolko’s plywood mill — is are up, primarily in residenfooting $73.34 in taxes for jessica@kamloopsthisweek.com tial. Property in Kamloops is every $1,000 of assessed value. assessed at $15.5 billion, $13.1 Lafarge shifted from the Your property-tax hike has billion of which is attached to major industry category to been set at two per cent. homes. light industry last year. Kamloops council agreed on “Residential growth was “Unfortunately, the rates Tuesday to an overall increase over $200 million in actual in class four [major industry] of 2.08 per cent. value into our market here,” and class five [light industry] Mayor Ken Christian said City of Kamloops finance aren’t the same,” Humphrey finalizing a two per cent hike director Kathy Humphrey said. said. “Class five is significantly required striking a balance The city is leaning on that lower than class four, so we between residential, business residential growth in shifting the lose value even though it’s and industrial taxpayers. tax rate a couple of cents higher shifted from class four to class The city needs $107 milthan it initially anticipated for five. Overall, it doesn’t neceslion in taxation to cover the residents, to help maintain sarily help us in terms of colbudget and supplemental the rate in the major industry lecting taxes.” items, which this year includes category. That rate is among Domtar is the singlemoney for extending hours the highest in the province and largest property taxpayer in at Westsyde Pool and Fitness council implemented a policy Kamloops. Centre and for purchasing new last year to help lower it. “Make no bones about it. snow-clearing equipment. Residential accounts for 84 Domtar wants to see us get in While the city has been per cent of the property values line with the provincial averundergoing budget talks for in Kamloops and covers 63 per age because of issues related some time, tax rates require cent of the city’s property tax to competitiveness within the the final assessed property tab this year. Residents will pay industry,” Christian said. values from BC Assessment, $5.19 in taxes for every $1,000 Adjusting the mill rate which come in early April after of assessed value. Businesses, by one cent for an averageappeals and adjustments. meanwhile, bear 27 per cent of assessed home of $377,000 in BC Assessment numbers the bill, with a rate of $13.21 Kamloops increases property paint a picture of growth in in taxes for every $1,000 of taxes for homeowners by $3.77. MIK.Soc.Med.Kilt.Cash.FRONT.$10.pdf 1 2017-04-10 1:36:47 PM Kamloops. assessed value. Meanwhile, that same one About 500 more properties Major industry — which cent puts $130,736 in the city’s are being taxed in 2018 and includes the Domtar pulp mill pockets. JESSICA WALLACE
STAFF REPORTER
DAVE EAGLES/KTW
COLOURFUL CROSSING
Taking the inaugural walk across the Kamloops Airport’s rainbow crosswalk on Friday morning were Kamloops Pride president Kirstin McLaughlin (left), director Sam Numsen, Kamloops Coun. Tina Lange, Kamloops Airport managing director Heather McCarley, airport administrative co-ordinator Sherry Senum and airport operations manager Jeff Scherban. A second crosswalk at the airport has also been painted in the colours of the rainbow, which is the symbol of support for the LGBTQ community. Should the city fly the Pride flag on Aug. 26, the date of this year’s Pride Parade? Cast your vote online at kamloopsthisweek.com. MIK.Soc.Med.Kilt.Cash.FRONT.$10.pdf 1 2017-04-10 1:36:47 PM
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