Skip to content

General municipal tax increase of 2.62 per cent on deck for Chilliwack

Tax rate bylaw given first, second, and third reading at the April 17 council meeting
11535816_web1_bikelanecyclist
Bikes lanes are one of the many budget priorities for 2018 in Chilliwack. (City of Chilliwack photo)

Chilliwack’s tax increase for 2018 is lower than last year’s, and the tax rate ranks among the lowest in the entire Lower Mainland.

Council approved the Rates Bylaw 2018 with a 2.62 per cent tax increase, giving it first, second, and third reading on April 17.

READ MORE: Budget approved last fall

What were the budget priorities?

“The (Financial) Plan provides for additions in public safety, which includes five (5) RCMP members and two (2) additional firefighters.

“It also provides the addition of one (1) Public Works Operations Equipment Operator and two (2) Parks Maintenance workers to support workload, efficiency of services and continue with traffic island greening improvements and landscape beautification within the City,” according to city documents.

Additional funds were set aside for bike lanes, street sweeping and snow removal services. The plan features more investment in road rehabilitation and expanded public transit services.

The 2.62 per cent increase “equates to an approximate increase of $50” for the average single-family dwelling owners, with an assessed value of about $472,079.

The proposed tax rate increase of 2.62 per cent breaks down this way:

• 1.49 per cent – Base tax increase (incl 2 RCMP)

• 0.67 per cent – RCMP officer additions (3 additional RCMP,)

• 0.46 per cent – Public transit expansion

Here’s how the proposed increase of 2.62 per cent compares. Last year the tax rate increase was 3.5 per cent, when council approved 10 new RCMP officers in 2016, and the year before, 2016, it was 1.89 per cent.


@CHWKjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
Read more