Tax Hike Could Be Lower

Photo: Chief administrative officer Will Pearce addresses council and staff members during the first of two days of budget meetings at City Hall

City of Vernon staff are now projecting a lower tax hike for 2018.

The initial estimate earlier this month was 6.37 percent, which included 6 new police officers (2.9%), the annual infrastructure levy (1.9%), and operations.

“6.37…..(That’s) a very tough number to swallow for any taxpayer,” said chief administrative officer Will Pearce who addressed staff and council at the start of two days of budget meetings.

Pearce says they are able to reduce the operations budget by using new revenue and other sources.

At this point, council is working on a tax increase in the range of 4.4 percent.