By Roy L Hales
In response to reduced revenues arising from the pandemic, the city of Campbell River plans to increase property taxes and either defer or cancel $1.5 million dollars worth of services.
The current city council (l to r) Councillors Claire Moglove, Ron Kerr, (former Councillor) Michele Babchuk, Mayor Andy Adams, Councillors Colleen Evans, Charlie Cornfield and Kermit Dahl – courtesy city of Campbell River website
Map of the 5 Municipalities and 4 Regional ares in the Strathcona Regional District – courtesy SRDWhy this is important to us?
While this does not directly effect Cortes Island, Quadra Island, or the other Discovery Islands, we are in the Strathcona Regional District.
Close to 80% of the SRD’s inhabitants live in Campbell River.
Mayor Andy Adams, and city councillors Charlie Cornfield, Ron Kerr and Claire Moglove are all members of the Strathcona Regional District Board. So was former city councillor Michele Babchuk, who will resign after she is sworn in as our representative to the Provincial legislature.*
Graph taken from Campbell River news release
Proposed property tax increases
City council wants to keep the tax increase to no more than $79 for the average Campbell River home, valued at $442,000.
This is less than the regular annual tax increase that Campbell River residents experienced in the years prior to 2014, when Mayor Andy Adams was elected.
Similar tax increases are being implemented in other communities throughout the province.
Graph taken from Campbell River news release
Proposed service cuts
The proposed cuts include $356,300 from recreation programming, $165,600 from the Campbell River Airport’s payroll and $360,200 across many City departments.
This week’s Council decisions will be reviewed Nov. 30, when more detailed estimates on new construction values are available from BC Assessment. The budget will be adopted in December, and submitted to the Province before year-end.
“While the cuts reflect difficult, but necessary decisions, this budget still provides for renewal and replacement of aging infrastructure and funding to support new initiatives. In 2021, there will be a stronger focus on downtown safety, economic development and new maintenance requirements for the Bike Skills Park and Robron Fieldhouse,” said Mayor Andy Adams.
Links of interest:
- (Cortes Currents) articles about the city of Campbell River’s finances
- (City of Campbell River) COVID-19 Cuts into proposed 2021 City Budget – Final Decisions confirmed NOV. 30
- The city of Campbell River website
- (Cortes Currents) articles about, or referring to, Campbell River
*A correction regarding Michele Babchuk's status, as a member of the SRD Board, was made Nov 8, 2020.