Ratepayers in the Town of Gibsons are looking at a potential tax increase of three per cent as council tries to rebuild a healthy surplus and set aside money to fund future infrastructure costs. Council is also asking staff to find a way to pay for Gibsons’ share of the new Coast-wide economic development initiative.
Director of Finance Ian Poole told a special committee of the whole meeting March 29 that the proposed tax increase will bring in an extra $80,000, which will be split evenly between the reserve to cover annual costs for asset replacement, and the operating surplus, which can be used to fund projects.
Poole said those projects include: maintenance to the Visitor Information Centre roof and washrooms, rehabilitation work to the Persephone, rehabilitation of the seawalk between Armours Beach and the Wharf, the Armours Beach site restoration, and the Heritage Theatre roof restoration (which will be done in 2017).
The final list of projects getting funded this year, or the amounts, could change, however, now that Gibsons needs to come up with $40,000 for its share of the $300,000 in annual funding for Coast-wide economic development.
The budget also calls for $9,000 in continued funding to the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce for economic development work.
Mayor Wayne Rowe said he wants to keep the option of a slightly bigger tax increase on the table to raise that money.
“We should recognize that we’ve made a conscious decision to take on this regional economic development as an initiative, and we should be careful that we don’t necessarily short-change ourselves as well on what we need to do within the town,” Rowe said.
Coun. Silas White said he thinks the search for that $40,000 should also include a close look at the arrangement with the Chamber of Commerce and whether council needs to offer the full $9,000.
Council voted to have staff return with options for the April 5 committee of the whole meeting.
Residents are also going to see water and sewer rates go up, after decisions earlier this month. Just prior to the committee meeting, council formally adopted the new rates, fees and charges bylaws that confirm those changes, which include a new $21.50 bulk water parcel tax, a two per cent increase in the existing parcel tax, a 20 per cent increase in “fixed charges” (meter rental), a 10 per cent increase in variable charges (usage), and a special levy of $75.
Sewer fees are pegged to go up seven per cent.
