Tax rises set to cost the average Sidney household $77 are on their way.
The council approved the 2019–2022 Corporate Strategic Plan and 2019-2023 Financial Plan at meetings held on Feb. 25 and 26, which will cover the council’s full term of office.
“Both the Strategic Plan and Financial Plan were developed through consideration of the work the Town is already engaged in, building on that, bringing forward new initiatives that members of Council heard are important to our community, and working with the Town’s senior team,” said Mayor Cliff McNeil–Smith. “We are confident that these plans represent the vision of the greater community and will move Sidney forward in a positive way.”
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The approved Financial Plan for 2019 will result in a municipal tax increase of 3.93 per cent for existing properties. The council say the net impact of the tax increase on an average residential property will be about $56 for the year.
For the first time since 2010, there will be also be an increase to the Water User rate of $0.23 per thousand gallons. The council think this increase will have an annual impact of about $5.50 for users that consume 6,000 gallons of water per quarter. The annual Water and Sewer Parcel Taxes will also see rises. The increase is $5 for water, and $5 and $10 for sewer for strata properties and non-strata properties, respectively.
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The 2019 – 2022 Strategic Plan focuses on six goals: Complete Community, Economic Vibrancy, Organizational Excellence, Environmental Stewardship, Community Engagement and Community Infrastructure. The council plan to review and update the Official Community Plan, which will take place over the next 18-24 months. They say they are looking for considerable community engagement, in the review.
The Strategic Plan and Financial Plan documents can be found on the Town of Sidney website at: sidney.ca/stratplan and sidney.ca/budget.
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