Regional District of Nanaimo residents can expect increased property taxes, should directors approve the financial plan for 2016.
The regional district board heard a budget overview for 2016-20 at Tuesday night’s committee of the whole meeting. Increased property taxes were anticipated for some areas.
Actual tax requisitions depend on which part of the regional district residents live, according to Wendy Idema, regional district director of finance.
The City of Nanaimo will see property tax increase to $98 per $100,000 in 2016 from $96 per in 2015.
Gabriola Island (Area B) property tax is expected to rise to $98 per $100,000 of assessed value in 2016. It was $91 per $100,000 in 2015.
In Area C (Extension, East Wellington and Pleasant Valley), property tax will remain steady at $141 per $100,000 of assessed value.
Area A (Cedar, Yellowpoint and Cassidy) could see property tax at $154 per $100,000 in 2016, which is a decrease from $155 per year in 2015.
The District of Lantzville will see property tax at $97 per $100,000, a $3 decrease from the year previous.
Idema said increased property taxes will lead to more grant-in-aid opportunities in 2016.
Directors also gave preliminary approval to budget-related measures that included $30,000 provided to the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust, $6,500 to Nanaimo Marine Search and Rescue, $2,500 to Nanaimo Victim Services, $15,000 for the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre’s passive housing project and $15,000 to Nanaimo Travellers Lodge dementia patient housing.
The board is expected to finalize 2016 budget recommendations at its Feb. 23 regular meeting. Idema said the budget is scheduled to be adopted on March 22.