Lantzville council is seeking public feedback on what property tax increase residents would be comfortable with.
During a special council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15, council discussed three options for property taxation presented by administration, ranging from zero to three per cent.
Council expressed an interest in Scenario A, which would bring no tax increase, but would result in a three-per cent increase in water user rates and a 6.9-per cent increase in flat sewer user rates including 3.9-per cent increase for the shift to flat sewer rates. Coun. Ian Savage said the majority of council appears to be in favour of the essence of the scenario, but there remains debate about going into a third year in a row with a zero-per cent increase.
"I think the best way to do this is go with [Scenario A] with the suggestion of either a zero-per cent increase or a two to three-per cent increase and that will invite public feedback on that," Savage said.
Any increase would go toward putting money into reserves for future infrastructure replacement.
Ken Bjorgaard, Lantzville's interim director of financial services, told the News Bulletin that each one-per cent tax increase equals about $31,000 for the district.
"It's important because all the local infrastructure is aging and it costs a lot of money to replace the infrastructure and it's important to set aside monies on an ongoing basis so future generations aren't saddled with the burden of larger increases to replace infrastructure," he said. "In some cases, in some communities, they borrow money to replace or renew certain infrastructure as well."
These infrastructure replacements include water mains, district buildings, equipment and roads.
Several proposed changes were brought into the budget since early discussion in November, which have not not yet been factored into the capital plan. These include budgeting $100,000 for the inventory phase of an asset management plan including natural assets; $25,000 to put toward new protective gear in 2025 for the fire department, which is staggered over two years; $50,000 as a placeholder for Harper Road beach end improvement while the scope and budget are being determined; $25,000 as a placeholder for traffic safety studies; and $100,000 for the initial phase of geotechnical work and engineering phase for North Road improvements.
Previous items identified in the budget include $600,000 for water main replacement on Lantzville Road, $215,000 for culvert repair on Rumming Road and $500,000 for road work on Phantom Road. A total of $100,000 is also budgeted for a pickup truck replacement for public works and $100,000 to replace aging rescue tools for the fire department.
A total of $100,000 was previously allocated for a community-use facility rehabilitation, but the report notes that other numbers have been provided for the project including $300,000. The current plan is to proceed with the current funding allocated, with further funding based on results from the initial investigative phase.
Options to submit feedback are anticipated to be posted on the district's website and in the community newsletter. Bjorgaard said administration is also looking into the option of doing a SurveyMonkey digital survey with the zero, two and three-per cent choices.
Residents will also have the opportunity to deliver feedback in-person during the council meeting when it will be discussed, likely in February.
