North Van City
raise taxes 3.4%

Sy Jolanda Waskito
Contributing Writer

FUNDING cuts by the provincial
government have North Vancouver
City homcowners digging deeper in
their pockets to pay a 3.4% proper-
ty tax increase.

Mayor Jack Loucks delivered the budget
Monday night without outcry from either
councillors or audience.

“The 3.4%
increase is being
levied equally to all
property classes as
this was felt by coun-
cil to be the most
equitable way to distribute the impact of the
provincial cuts,” Loucks said.

The tax increase will cost the average sin-
gle-family homeowner in the city a about $39
a year and a city condo owner about $10.

The budget is to be finalized at next
Monday's regular meeting, before the May
15 deadline as required by legislation.

“The budget process this year has been a
particularly difficult one for most municipali-
ties in Briush Columbia, as we all have had to
do our best to deal with significant funding
cuts by the province,” Loucks said. “In the
City of North Voncouver, these cuts amount-
ed to almost $930,000, equivalent to a 4.5%
increase in taxation.”

He said the city was initially faced with
almost 7% in tax losses because of the cuts to
funding, the “significantly lowered” tax
assessment value of the grain terminals, and
new provincial legislation that restricts the
taxing of utilities and B.C. Rail properties.

Tt took council six months to review the
budget.

“It has not been possible to entertain
many new funding initiatives, rather the focus
has been on obtaining operational efficiencies
wherever possible,” Loucks said. “Council
has focused on opportunities to reallocate the
available funds to areas of greatest need.”

The 3.4% increase includes a 1.5% levy
that is being set aside to fund capital main
nance of the city’s infrastructure.

“Council's support for this levy reflects
our determination not to allow provincial
cutbacks to result in neglect of the recreation
centres, roads, parks and other fac for
which the city is responsible,” the mayor said.

The remaining 1.9% of the tax increase
will fund “a number of urgently needed

nerth vancouver
City Council

items,” including:

@ anew Lower Lonsdale neighborhood
RCMP constable;

@ continued support for adult” crossing
guards in the city; and

@ funding for the Recreation Commession’s
voucher program jor those in need.

As well, the mavor said that, “increased
emphasis continues to be placed on the city’s
livabiticy.”

Loucks added that the followin
tives — started in 1996 or planned

ear — are some examples:

A new building for RCMP and the

rth and West Ver wOUuver
Emergency Services, which will have
its grand opening this Ju:

A new civic plaza and renovations
are under way ro East 14th Street to
enhance the city’s central business district.
@ Construction vel route to
accommodate east /west traffic between
Esplanade and First Street to be completed
this year.

@ The city will complete a City Social Plan
to be integrated into the City’s Official
Community Plan, produce a Cultural
Diversity Policy, and fund a Task Force on
the issue of Affordable Housing.

@ A committee of public and staff has been
appointed by council to bring forth recom-
mendations for a city-wide Environmental
Protection Program.

Divisive council
debates budget

By Susan Pohorski
Contributing Writer

WEST Vancouver municipal council-
lors Monday night unveiled the
1997
Annual
Budget
requiring
an average
tax increase of 0.8% to residenti:
commercial and other taxpayers.

initia-
tor this

west ‘ywencouver
District Council

This means an increase of about $17 for the

See Taxes page 18

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