Hang on to your wallets – taxes could be going up dramatically.
City CAO Tim Pley presented the first draft of the 5-year financial plan yesterday, and said a 5.1% tax increase would be required to cover inflation and council’s strategic priorities.
Mayor Sharie Minions said council wants to start getting things done, including projects that people have been asking for.
“In the 2020 budget, out of our strategic plan we’re looking to implement the public safety building, we’re looking to do a major street-scape improvement to 3rd Avenue between Argyle and Mar in our uptown anrea, and we’re looking to do a new ‘Welcome to Port Alberni’ sign,” she said. “Those are three initiatives that I think have been needed for a long time, certainly the ‘Welcome to Port Alberni’ sign has been talked about for a decade, and we’re excited to get feedback from the community on those initiatives.”
Departmental budget presentations will begin next week, with a public engagement session scheduled for January 14th
Pley said the city plans to hire 2 more people next year and convert two other positions from part time to full time.
