District of Vanderhoof
Municipal Office
Weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
(Closed Statutory Holidays)
160 Connaught Street
Vanderhoof, British Columbia
V0J 3A0
250-
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Vanderhoof News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009
District of Vanderhoof Reduces Taxes
Vanderhoof, British Columbia – The District of Vanderhoof Council will be giving first three readings to the 2009 Financial Plan on May 11th, 2009. The 2009 Financial Plan calls for $3.054 million in municipal taxes. This is down from $3.065 million in 2008, a 1% decrease.
All tax rates will be lower than last year. The municipality establishes a tax rate for every one thousand dollars of assessment for all properties within the District boundaries. For residential properties, the rate in 2008 was 4.5174, in 2009 it will be 4.4722. A $100,000 home in 2008 would have paid $451.74 in municipal taxes and in 2009, the same home will pay $447.22. In Prince George the same home will be paying $701.00 in 2009.
Individual municipal tax bills will vary depending on the assessed value of the home or business. Overall the 2009 municipal portion of a Vanderhoof Property Tax Notice will be very similar to last year. Many will see a reduction.
Despite reducing the tax rate, the Financial Plan calls for over $19.9 million in spending, one of the largest financial plans that Vanderhoof has ever had. This is possible because of the more than $10.0 million in government grants that the District has secured for 2009. The District will be undertaking or completing the following projects in 2009:
Airport Lighting/GPS $1,581,500 Arena Ice Plant/other upgrades $440,300
Fire Department $67,200 Green Lighting Energy Conservation $28,100
Historical Park Project $512,410 Sports Field Project $487,750
Community Trails Phase 1 $ 630,410 Ball Park Bleachers $30,000
Riverside Park Info Kiosk $5,000 Highway 16 Park $20,000
BMX Park $22,200 Burrard Street Revitalization $155,000
Dyking Project $1,750,000 4th Street Improvements $5,139,800
Sidewalks $20,000 Electrical Sign $26,000
Water Treatment Plant $1,720,000 Road Improvements $200,000
District Council will continue to support the Vanderhoof Public Library, the Vanderhoof
Chamber of Commerce and the Nechako Valley Historical Society. The Public Library
has presented a zero increase budget and will receive $132,780, slightly less than
the $133,775 received in 2008. The Chamber of Commerce will receive $48,915 compared
to $47,770 in 2008. To operate the Museum the Historical Society will be receiving
$65,000 which is an increase over the $43,000 received in 2008. In addition Council
also supports, through a grant-
The Vanderhoof Council lobbied the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako for funding to assist with the implementation of a recycling program. Vanderhoof Council looks forward to using these funds in conjunction with the Nechako Waste Reduction Initiative on recycling initiatives.
The Financial Plan also provides funding for the newly formed Pool Committee. The Pool Committee will be looking at the feasibility and the design of a new swimming pool for Vanderhoof.
Mayor Gerry Thiessen said, “We as Council are extremely pleased to be able to put forward a fiscally responsible financial plan with a reduced tax rate. We are especially pleased that we are able to recommend one of the most ambitious budgets ever. It is great that the District will have so many projects started or completed in 2009.”
Other initiatives include developing a communications plan, improving the WEB site and working with BC Transit to perform a Transit Feasibility Study for the Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James and the rural areas.
The Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws will receive first three readings on May 11th. Final reading will be given on May 13th, 2009.
For additional information, contact:
Tom Clement Deputy Administrator
District of Vanderhoof
Vanderhoof, BC Tel:(250)567-