2021 Financial Plan receives three readings

The City of Merritt’s 2021 financial plan, and tax rate bylaws are three steps closer to adoption after City Council approved the first three readings of the two bylaws.

The taxation motion was passed by a vote of 5-2, Councillors Mike Bhangu and Melvina White were in opposition.

“The tax burden on the citizen is already beyond the breaking point and I can’t vote for a tax increase. What I would like to see is the City reduce its spending. We’ve become too reliant on tax dollars,” said Bhangu.

City Council approved the first three readings of a mill rate decrease of 5.3%, however, due to property assessments increasing across the city, many Merrittonains will see a tax increase.

Mayor Linda Brown has happy to see the budget continue to grow from her early days on Council.

“When I first became a Councillor our budgets were 10 million, 11 million, 12 million, this year it’s $26 million. We’ve more than doubled our budget over the last few years and that tells me staff is working to get projects done for the community,” said Brown.

The two bylaws will return to the council in May for final adoption.