Average $91 property tax increase expected in Squamish

Squamish property owners can expect an annual increase of $91 per household in their tax bill for 2022.

This would mean a 4.07 per cent tax increase in 2022.

The property tax increase will fund projects and services required to meet the growth pressures, facility renewal and demand for services.

Although the BC Assessment property assessment value notices are not yet available and Council hasn’t yet set the property tax rates, residents can expect the rate increase to be around $91.

Property taxes fund approximately half of the annual budget.

The other half is funded by reserves, grants, development cost charges, fees for service, investment revenue and borrowing.

An estimated $960,000 represents the growth in new tax-payers in the community.

Meanwhile, District of Squamish is seeking community input on the draft Five-Year Financial Plan for 2022 to 2026.

An interactive budget tool to explore the proposed projects, detailed spreadsheets, and engagement opportunities are available online at LetsTalkSquamish.ca.

A budget info event will be held on November 23 for both virtual and in-person attendance (at Municipal Hall), beginning at 5:30 p.m.

“Council is very much looking forward to the public’s input into this draft budget,” says Mayor Karen Elliott.

“It’s an ambitious plan that moves a number of large facilities projects forward, continues to action the master plans that guide our infrastructure work, while aiming to meet the many needs and requests of the community. It is not possible to accomplish everything and so some tough decisions have been made, however we think this budget strikes a good balance and we want to know what the community thinks about that.”