Kitimat Residents Facing 20% Municipal Tax Increase

Kitimat residents are facing a 20 percent hike in municipal taxes this year.

Council voted 4-2 in favour of the increase, in order to build up a reserve nest for when West Fraser stops paying taxes on its Eurocan property next year.   The company will pay four million this year.

Council is also chopping $839,000 from the district's operations for 2010.

Mayor Joanne Monaghan says council analysed every facet of the budget during last week's consultations, before arriving at the recommendations passed on Saturday.
"In the beginning it was going to be at least a 33% increase, but we got it down to 19.99 -- so almost 20% increase, which will mean for the average household about $186 a year more taxes this year than last."

Council has also decided to close the Kitimat Ice Rink, although Tamitik will remain open.   And Hirsch Creek Park will be turned into a wilderness park.  
The budget still must be passed by Council, which will give it first, second and third readings on March 22nd.

   John Crawford