Delta Optimist March 1 2017

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CALL FROM HALL: MP Carla Qualtrough to be inducted as Paralympic builder, 5 HOOP PLAYOFFS: Pacers are a win away from first B.C. berth in seven years, 15

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12571 Bridgeport Road, Richmond 604.273.2227

www.delta-optimist.com

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The voice of Delta since 1922

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017

Bill to rise $96 for average home Property taxes up 2.75 per cent this year while flat rate utility bills will jump by 3.5 per cent SANDOR GYARMATI

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The average Delta home will pay $96 more in property taxes and utilities this year. Delta council endorsed the civic charges Monday, which will see property taxes rise by 2.75 per cent and flat rate utility bills jump by 3.5 per cent.

The tax hike works out to an extra $61 for a home assessed at $926,500. The charges break down to $11 more for government services, $6 for police services, $11 for the drainage program and $33 toward the future emergency operations centre and fire hall at Boundary Bay Airport. The flat rate utility bill for

water, sewer, garbage and recycling services has climbed to $1,035, up from $1,000 last year. According to staff, the utility rate budget drivers include an increase to Delta’s water purchase rate, the Metro Vancouver sewer levy as well as the waste recyclables and yard waste collection services contract. The $96 figure doesn’t include

what Delta has to collect for other taxing authorities, such as TransLink. Delta’s financial plan for 2018 to 2021 anticipates property tax increases to be less than 2.5 per cent per year. The average home would see a combined increase of about $75 each year for property taxes and flat utility fees. The capital plan, meanwhile,

continues with the policy of no new borrowing and pay-as-yougo funding. Mayor Lois Jackson and CAO George Harvie boasted about the policy at a recent economic development breakfast in North Delta, noting that back in 2001 Delta’s debt was $58 million but the municipality will be debt free by next year.

Hight wins Delta Idol DAVE WILLIS

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Young singers turned in some “awesome” performances during the annual Delta Idol competition at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre last Friday. “Everybody came out and performed really well,” said Corporation of Delta recreation programmer Jacqueline Hamlin. Finalists each sang a song of their choice. Genres like jazz, country and pop were heard by an audience of about 160. “It was a cool variety throughout the show,” Hamlin said. North Delta’s Grace Hight was named the winner of the competition. The 18-year-old performed a rendition of Drops of Jupiter by Train. She won three hours of recording time and one hour of mix time at Fresh Air Audio Inc., a local recording studio. Jamaica Gagajena was second and Angelica Largo finished third.

PHOTO BY CAMILLE GIUSTA

Grace Hight was crowned Delta Idol 2017 at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre last Friday. See more photos at www.delta-optimist.com.

It’s all perfectly clear to me now, Mildred! Of course it is John. The windshield was fixed by Tsawwassen Collision W i n d s h i e l d R e p a i r. G e t i t d o n e r i g h t , g e t i t d o n e f o r s a f e t y a t T s a w w a s s e n C o l l i s i o n

604.943.6383

17-1835 56th St. Tsawwassen (Behind Mcdonalds) www.tsawwassencollision.com


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