The district of Sparwood’s property tax is expected to go up by “about six per cent,” according to Mayor David Wilks.
Property tax is the municipality’s primary source of revenue.
The budget has not yet been finalized and the municipality is still consulting the public, but the increase seems likely, the mayor said.
Of the six percent increase, one percentage point will go towards increased funding for the police once Sparwood’s population surpassed 5,000.
Another percentage point will be kept aside to make improvements to the city’s recreation spaces if (and when) the need arises.
The remaining four percentage points will be used for the municipality’s operating expenses.
The rate increase comes as Sparwood attempts to keep up with rising costs around the world.
“Just as everyone’s bills have gone up, so have the municipality’s,” Wilks said.
When asked if any attempts were made not to increase the tax rate, Wilks was direct in his response.
“No.”
Although the increases were inevitable in Wilks’ eyes, he made a point of noting the efforts of Sparwood staff.
“I’m proud of our staff for trying their best to keep things how they are,” he said.
According to Wilks, the increases are necessary to keep Sparwood’s services open.
“People ask me to cut taxes and I ask them what they want me to shut down,” Wilks said. “I could shut that pool down tomorrow, but people wouldn’t like that”
If the need to cut taxes did prevail, recreation services would likely pay the price.
“The easiest thing to shut down is rec services,” Wilks said.
For now, Sparwood will continue to consult with the public on its upcoming budget.
A draft of the budget will be published inside the Greenwood Mall from March 28th until April 11th. A digital version will likely be published online during that time.
Members of the public are encouraged to engage with the municipality and offer their input on how the budget should be built.