Surrey city council to discuss proposed tax hike Monday – BC | 24CA News
Surrey metropolis council will likely be again in session Monday and can once more sort out a proposed double-digit tax hike.
The steered improve has been lowered to 12.5 per cent as the town has obtained provincial funding.
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Surrey to make use of provincial infrastructure money to slash deliberate 17.5% property tax hike: Mayor
In February, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke introduced the proposed tax hike will likely be a whopping 17 and a half per cent within the 2023 price range.
Newly allotted provincial funding of practically $90 million will now reduce that right down to 12.5 per cent, which would scale back the tax improve for the typical Surrey home-owner from $460 right down to $280.
Most of the tax hike is to pay for 2 police forces.
Locke, who was not accessible for remark Sunday, pledged to maintain the Surrey RCMP detachment and scrap the transition to a municipal police power.
The choice is now within the fingers of the solicitor normal however time is of the essence.
“There are too many assumptions around our police transition that I can’t support, I want the real numbers,” mentioned Linda Annis, a metropolis councillor.
“Surrey residents can’t afford a 12.5 per cent increase in taxes and also our businesses will also be getting it.”
Surrey councillors are hoping for a solution from the province earlier than Monday evening’s council assembly the place the brand new tax improve will likely be introduced ahead.
The B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General provided an announcement Sunday.
“As Minister Farnworth has said previously, a decision will be announced by early May, before City of Surrey tax notices are issued. No decision has been made at this time,” a spokesperson mentioned in an e-mail.
“The ministry continues its evaluation which can inform the recommendation and proposals from the Director of Police Services on the security of the plans submitted by the City of Surrey, RCMP, and the Surrey Police Service.
“This analysis requires time to complete and is critical to our responsibility of maintaining public safety in Surrey, the wider region and across the province.”
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