Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council passed second and third readings of the 2012 Mill Rate Bylaw at the meeting which was held last Tuesday, April 17th, allowing for a mill rate increase of 2.5 per cent from 2011 to 2012.
Councillors Jerry Lonsbury and Larry Mitchell moved second and third readings, respectively, both of which were carried 5-2, with Councillors Brian Gallant and Andrew Saje opposed.
The approval of the 2012 Mill Rate Bylaw increases the residential mill rate to 5.871 and the non-residential mill rate to 10.539, as well as increasing the minimum tax from $500 to $525.
Director of Finance and Corporate Services Marion Vanoni informed Council that the increase will generate tax revenues for the Municipality in the amount of roughly $6,820,152, which, when added to revenues from other sources in the amount of $13,721,635, will provide for Capital and Operational expenditures / transfers in the amount of $20,541,787, including an anticipated surplus of $48,636.
As it has in years past, the Crowsnest Pass Senior Housing Authority Operating Requisition increased by 10 per cent this year from $202,996 to $223,296 for facility upgrades at York Creek Lodge and operational costs of the lodge and Tecumseh Manor.