White Rock residents will see their property taxes jump 3.91 per cent this year, following adoption of the city’s 2011-2015 financial plan.
Council voted unanimously in support of the plan last week. The increase was proposed to generate funds for the city’s $25.8 million general 2011 operating budget.
The city’s financial services director explained in earlier meetings that the increase amounts to an extra $97 on the average homeowner’s next tax bill; for strata owners – who comprise approximately half of the city’s residents – the jump will average $42.
The boost does not factor in increases to drainage (amounting to about $25, from $252 to $277, for single detached homes and $7, from $69 to $76, for stratas) and sanitary sewer fees (two per cent, amounting to a $5 jump for both residential and commercial users). Those fees are described as the second-largest portion of the 2011 budgeted revenue after property taxes. Factors cited as contributing to the tax increase include a jump in labour costs and levies, and funds needed to operate the new Centre for Active Living.
Council gave third reading to the bylaw Feb. 21, following a relatively uneventful public meeting the week before.