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North Cowichan sets tax increase at 2.95 per cent

Financial plan also adopted for 2019-2023
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North Cowichan council has set a net property tax increase of 2.95 per cent for 2019 and adopted a 2019-2023 Financial Plan.

“Council and staff worked diligently to keep the overall tax increase as low as possible, while continuing to maintain and expand services delivered to the community,” noted Mayor Al Siebring. “More and more challenges are being encountered at the community level and local governments are being compelled to thoughtfully consider the services we deliver. Our work now expands well beyond infrastructure.”

The tax increase will result in an additional cost of $49 for a residential property with an average assessed value of $445,352 in North Cowichan (the 2018 assessment average).

Major projects in the 2019 budget include: early work on the new RCMP detachment ($11 million); design for replacing South End water trunk main with earthquake-resistant material ($2.93m); Chemainus Road improvements, roundabout, water main replacement, and sewer main replacement ($3.59m); Cowichan Sportsplex Field House ($1.46m if Federal/Provincial grant is received); new pump station at Maple Bay Road and Churchill Road ($1.4m); completion of Murchie Road in Stoney Hill ($552,000); Cowichan Lake Road widening ($536,000); Fuller Lake Arena compressor upgrade ($510,000); Canada Avenue settlement repair near Philip Street ($412,500); design for Canada Avenue friendship trail from Sherman Road to Philip Street, including two new bridges and widening to accommodate bike lanes on one side ($400,000); fire vehicle replacements ($340,000); Xtreme Skate Park expansion ($209,475 - completed); replacement of water tie-ins on Crofton Road near Chaplin Street in advance of Provincial paving of Crofton Road ($100,000); and Crofton sanitary sewer main replacement in the laneway bounded by Arthur, Robert, York, and Emily Street ($100,000).