During its recent public hearing on the five-year financial plan, District of 100 Mile House council laid out its capital projects plan, and gave some information on where local taxpayers stand in comparison to other communities in the province.
Capital projects
There will be downtown boulevard/shoulder upgrades from Fourth Street to Third Street.
• Replace existing trees/shrubs.
• Replace old benches with the new style benches (like those in front of community hall) and stamped concrete to replace damaged bench pads.
• Edible plants will be planted behind the Lakewood Hotel and irrigation installed in the area.
• Birch Avenue will be paved from First Street to Horse Lake Road – project awarded.
Sidewalk program
• First Street will get new sidewalks from Birch Avenue to Highway 97 on the south side – project awarded.
Fleet upgrades
• The District has purchased its first electric truck.
• A rototiller to disk the rapid infiltration basins will be purchased, and it may also be used by the parks department.
• Council approved the purchase of a mower replacement.
• Wild-land apparatus will be replaced for 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue.
• Fire engine retrofit.
• Small equipment replacement or upgrades.
• Emergency services training centre upgrades, involving ground prep, rebar and cement.
Water and sewer
• $75,000 has been budgeted for Well #4 rehabilitation to ensure it will provide the required backup water until a long-term solution for District potable water is developed. The well’s efficiency for supplying water has dropped since it was drilled.
• Sewer Snake, which is used in the operation of the sewer collection system, is needed.
Although the provincial government and Union of British Columbia Municipalities are currently in discussions for new infrastructure funding and a new Gas Tax agreement, it is anticipated the first intake of applications for capital funding will occur in the spring of 2015.
Comparisons
The District provided information on where local taxpayers stand in comparison to other communities – Elkford, Grand Forks, Houston, Merritt, Prince George, Quesnel, Smithers, Sparwood and Williams Lake.
• In terms of residential tax rates, 100 Mile House taxpayers pay the fifth lowest taxes.
• In terms of residential property taxes and user fees, local taxpayers are at the third lowest level.
• In the major industry tax rate comparison, the mills pay the sixth lowest rate.
• In the light industry tax rate comparison, 100 Mile House has the second lowest rate.
• In the business property tax rate comparison, local businesses pay the third lowest rate.
