By Tom Mark

City Finalizes Budget & Tax Hike

Apr 24, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Armstrong Council has finalized its 2018 budget and five year capital plan.

Mayor Chris Pieper says the municipal tax hike is at 2.95 per cent, equal to about 12 to 15 dollars per person based on an average 333 thousand dollar property assessment.

The big hit is on police costs because the city went over five thousand population.

“The contract we signed will increase our contributions to the provincial government from approximately 25 per cent to 70 per cent.”

He says under the five year plan, there will be more increases ahead.

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“We have signed a contract to allow for one additional officer in 2019, and the reserve we have we will use that to buffer the increases and help people out.”

Meanwhile, the mayor reminds residents that one big change is the removal of the water and sewer parcel taxes from the tax notice.

“They will not be on there, and that’s a hundred and ten dollars for water and ninety for sewer. You’ll see that on your water bill or your utility bill. You won’t see it in April this year, but you will see it in October.”

Pieper says the city will hold information sessions in the next couple of months to explain the change and what infrastructure plans are for the future.

He says despite the higher policing cost, the city has been able to keep the municipal tax increases near the cost of living structure because of growth.

The mayor says there were 50 housing starts in Armstrong last year that helped to keep taxes in line and provide extra revenue for the services that are needed.

by Tom Mark