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New Clinton public works building on target for May 2022 opening

Building is one of several capital projects on the cards for Clinton this year
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An artist’s rendering of the new Clinton public works building at Elliott Park. (Photo credit: Nordstar Construction)

Clinton property assessments grew by 13 per cent in this year over 2021, resulting in an expected increase of $105,140 in property tax revenue for the village coffers.

Chief Financial Officer Mandy McKague told Clinton council in a special meeting March 9 that the increase is enough to cover the 2022 budget and no additional tax increases are planned, aside from a scheduled two per cent rise in their water and sewer utility rates.

“Everyone’s property assessments went up this year, and that assessment increase is enough to cover the budget,” she explained. “Every time BC Assessment raises assessments we don’t have to raise our tax rate.”

However, Coun. David Park expressed concern that the residential mill rate is becoming too high and might deter some people from moving to the community. Local governments are responsible for setting the mill rate - the amount of tax payable per dollar of the assessed value of a property.

Clinton’s mill rate is on the higher side, McKague said, because it has a small population - it currently sits at 630 people - and only a few businesses.

“We don’t want to lower the tax rate, because it’s a hard conversation when we have to raise it again,” she said.

“Residents are carrying the tax burden, and we’re not in the position to lower it, but we also don’t want to have to raise it. People will be paying more. All our expenses are going up, and the cost of living is increasing.”

McKague told council the general fund operating expenditure shows a slight increase over 2021, for a total of $1.5 million. The largest increase — $171,010 over last year — is in public works, which includes the loan for the new public works building. The report also noted the snow and ice removal budget is up dramatically over 2021. Funds are being set aside in both the water and sewer budgets for asset management.

McKague told Black Press Media the bid for the public works building came in on target, and will probably be under budget. Work on the new building — located at Elliott Park — is well underway, and should be completed by May.

Capital projects for 2022 include paving on Carson Street ($200,000); sidewalk and curb replacement ($100,000); SCBA equipment for the fire department ($120,000); a dehumidifier ($90,000) and heater ($6,000) for the arena; and $70,000 for pathways, picnic tables, and playground equipment upgrades at Reg Conn Park.

Two water projects scheduled for this year have been deferred because the costs will be much higher than anticipated. The increase in water and sewer rates is the third and final one of a three-year plan which saw modest increases each year. The utility rates will have to be revisited next year.

Council approved first and second reading of the 2022-2026 Financial Plan Bylaw. There is still time for public input before third reading at the council meeting on March 23.


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Barbara Roden

About the Author: Barbara Roden

I joined Black Press in 2012 working the Circulation desk of the Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal and edited the paper during the summers until February 2016.
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