91原创 City taxpayers will pay more for police and fire services as well as the salaries of unionized municipal employees in the coming year 鈥� nearly three per cent more on average.
On Monday night, the City gave fourth and final reading to its 2011 budget. It includes an average tax hike of 2.99 per cent to offset a net expenditure increase of just under $600,000 projected for the coming year.
The average homeowner will pay an additional 3.77 per cent or $92 for a detached home or 2.80 per cent or $34 for an average strata dwelling (condo or townhouse).
Businesses are looking at a larger increase, of $601 (4.92 per cent) on average, while taxes on light industrial property will rise by $1,207 (6.39 per cent).
Once again, the main drivers of the proposed tax increase are policing costs 鈥� which account for $9 million of the City鈥檚 $38 million budget.
Salaries are another major component of the hike as the City鈥檚 unionized staff are now entering the last year of a five-year contract negotiated in 2007.
They will receive a four per cent pay increase in 2011. Wages will account for $10 million 鈥� a $450,000 increase over last year.
Overtime pay within the fire department is also a significant cost pressure for the City, with call volumes having roughly doubled over the past several years. The fire department acts as first responder to medical emergencies, which comprise roughly 70 per cent of the calls it receives.
The municipality is also looking at increased costs for garbage and recycling services as well as a rise in regional water and sewer rates in the coming year.
There are plans to add three new positions 鈥� two part-time and one full-time positions 鈥� at a total cost of $110,640.
Councillors Dave Hall and Jack Arnold voted against the budget, which passed by a 5-2 margin.
