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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Property tax to rise two per cent By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
For the second straight year, the City of Merritt is looking at a two per cent property tax increase. Last Tuesday at its regular meeting, city council moved toward adopting the new rate by giving the first three readings of the city’s property tax rate bylaw. Council also gave three readings to the five-year financial plan bylaw. Both were passed by a vote of 6-1 with Coun. Linda Brown opposed.
According to Ken Ostraat, the city’s financial services manager, costs to the city are rising. However, council unanimously approved the first three readings of the sewer parcel tax bylaw and the water parcel tax bylaw, which will see a $20 per parcel increase to water parcel taxes beginning this year. The increase will add another $64,000 of revenue for the water utility to be used for capital infrastructure improvements to the water system. The sewer parcel tax rate is not changing, but because it and the water parcel tax were
included in one bylaw, which is being repealed for the water parcel tax increase, it was necessary to create a new bylaw for the existing sewer parcel tax. The two per cent property tax increase will add another $135,000 to city coffers this year. Ken Ostraat, the city’s financial services manager, said that about $8.5 million will be collected in property taxes this year, and the city’s total budget for 2015 will consist of $19.8
million. About 60 per cent of revenues come from taxation, Ostraat said. He said operating expenditures will be maintained for the most part, although costs overall will be increasing for the city in 2015. “[Costs will] probably continue to increase throughout the next four years,” Ostraat said. The city’s garbage collection rates increase 10 per cent effective July 1 in response to higher
SAR requests compound
Thompson-Nicola Regional District tipping fees, and there was a $25,000 increase in costs to the city due to a six per cent increase in BC Hydro rates that went into effect April 1. There are seven different types of property taxes in Merritt, and almost half of that tax revenue comes from the residential class, Ostraat said. He added that the average house in Merritt is worth roughly $208,000 and would pay $2,100 total in property taxes. The five-year financial plan bylaw must be adopted by May 15, and the plan projects a two per cent property tax increase in each of the following years.
Farmers’ Market fundraiser
By Michael Potestio THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
Nicola Valley Search and Rescue is looking to keep its equipment safe with the construction of a compound at the Merritt airport. Search and rescue has assets such as computers, radios, rope rescue equipment, a command vehicle, rapid response trailer and rescue sled already stored at the airport, but it’s not located in an enclosure.
See SAR Page 3
HOSE DOWN Merritt Fire Rescue Department crews worked to extinguish the blaze last Wednesday, though onsite fire prevention measures had it contained before they arrived, said Fire Chief Dave Tomkinson. See the full story online. David Dyck/Herald
The Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market is preparing for its 2015 season with a community yard sale fundraiser at the parking lot beside the Baillie House on May 9. To rent a table, contact Lang Mackenzie at 250936-8605. Table rentals are $10 and all proceeds benefit the farmers market’s bursary fund.
See Market Page 5
Treat Mom This Mother’s Day
UR TO O
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED:
SPECIAL BUFFET! MAY 10th ONLY 4:30 - 8 PM
250-378-6333ÊÊUÊÊ4025 WALTERS ST. (JUST OFF VOGHT STREET NEXT TO QUALITY INN)