No one enjoys seeing their property taxes go up, but View Royal residents were saved a chunk of cash through the 2016 budget deliberation process.
What started out as a potential increase in the neighbourhood of 14 per cent was whittled down to about 3.65 per cent, once council and staff nailed down the Town’s priorities for the near future, said Mayor David Screech.
“The average increase for the typical home is $65 per household,” he said, noting tax notices went out at the end of May.
“It’s important to remember at the start of that process, staff throws everything into the pot. We were happy to get it down.”
With the major tax hit brought about by construction of the new Public Safety Building, which was completed last year, council was conscious of “stepping back a bit” from major projects this year, Screech said.
Among the projects on the public works agenda for this year include the creation of a dedicated boat launch area on Shoreline Drive. It’ll be accessed not only by the public, but by students at Shoreline Middle School, which has a busy kayak and canoe program.
Other initiatives upcoming are the installation of pedestrian warning signals at Chilko Road and Six Mile Road – near the point where the sloped Trans-Canada Highway exit meets Six Mile – plus the intersection of Burnside Road West and Cammi Court, and on Island Highway near the new fire hall.
Newstead Park, a tiny green space on Heddle Avenue between View Royal Avenue and Prince Robert Drive, will receive up to $60,000 for equipment improvements, while two new outdoor exercise stations will be placed in View Royal Park.
For more details, call the Town of View Royal at 250-479-6800.
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