Efficiencies soften Enderby tax burden
Belt-tightening has kept Enderby taxes from skyrocketing.
Council agreed to move ahead Monday with the draft 2013 city budget.
“It should have been a 10 per cent tax increase but because of efficiencies, it will be three per cent,” said Coun. Earl Shipmaker.
Among the cost savings are not replacing a couple of vehicles and integrating the parks department with public works.
“We were able to absorb the CPI increase for normal city operations through various operational savings throughout the budget,” said Jennifer Dennis, chief financial officer.
Of the three per cent tax increase, two per cent will go towards financing capital works and one per cent is dedicated for equipment reserves.
Shipmaker says it’s critical for the city to plan for the future.
“Council has a policy to add two per cent for financing capital like roads and drainage,” he said.
The impact for the average property owner will be $20.
In terms of sewer, user fees will increase by 1.84 per cent in 2013.
The funds will go towards recapitalization. Operating costs for the sewer utility will decrease by 4.2 per cent and these savings will fund special projects.
User fees for water are projected to increase by 3.49 per cent and the funds will go into reserves for future works.
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