During the past several council meetings a number of local residents have stated to council that they are unhappy with council's decision to raise taxes, particularly to fund a sustainability/development services coordinator position.

Members of the public have also suggested that council hold a town hall meeting before making any budget decisions so that the public can have more of a say.

During last week's council meeting Coun. John Illes acknowledged the public for the comments council has received.

"In light of the comments I would like to make a motion to increase taxes by two per cent," he said.

Councillor Luke Strimbold urged council to hold a town hall meeting before any decision on a tax increase is made so that they can hear what the public has to say.

"We have to have a rate decided before we can hold a town hall meeting so we can see all the effects [of the increase]," said Coun. Illes.

Acting mayor, councillor Eileen Benedict agreed and mentioned that it is easier for staff to present information to the public when a rate is already decided.

"I would still like to see a town hall meeting," Coun. Strimbold said.

Councillor Benedict explained that the tax rate increase bylaw has a first, second and third reading. Then a public forum can be held and if necessary the tax rate bylaw could be amended after hearing public comments.

Both mayor Bernice Magee and Coun. Quentin Beach were not present for the meeting, leaving just Coun. Strimbold to vote for the motion to support a two per cent increase.

As acting mayor Coun. Benedict did not have a vote on the motion.

"We have some exciting projects coming up, but we are a public service. We need a town hall meeting as we have to remember we are here to represent the public," Coun. Strimbold said.

Councillor Benedict agreed.

"Perhaps next year we could have a town hall meeting before the provisional budget is done. I have heard from the comments that council has been receiving that the public want to provide more input towards budget decisions much earlier on," she added.

There will be opportunity for comment during a public meeting in April, however no date has been officially set.

The budget receives final approval in May 2011.

The decision to increase taxes was first made during Dec. 7, 2010 budget talks, when Coun. John Illes and Coun. Quentin Beach both voted in favour of a seven per cent increase in municipal taxes in order to come up with the $80,000 necessary for the sustainability/development services coordinator position.

However Coun. Strimbold requested a zero per cent increase in taxes, saying that many locals have not received wage increases and would find a tax increase difficult.

Coun. Eileen Benedict agreed with Coun. Strimbold, but suggested a five per cent increase would be easier for local residents to deal with and would also provide the village with increased funding.

Mayor Bernice Magee was given the final say due to the tied vote, deciding to increase municipal taxes by seven per cent. A seven per cent increase would provide the village with $80,059 in extra revenue for 2011, enough to fund the new staff position.

Then, in January of 2011 councillors revisited the tax increase discussion when B.C. Assessment notices were issued.

B.C. Assessment has increased the value of most local properties for 2011 which means that more revenue will be coming in to the village from property taxes, even before council makes a decision on a tax rate increase.

According to Sheryl Worthing, Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake's director of finance and soon to be chief administrative officer many local properties have increased in value by five per cent on B.C. Assessment notices.

Because of this, new tax rate figures were presented to council. A two per cent increase in municipal taxes based on 2011 property assessment rates would give the village and extra $98,896 in revenue. A three per cent increase in municipal taxes based on 2011 property assessment rates would provide an increase of $111,142. Worthing calculated that a four per cent increase in municipal taxes based on 2011 property assessment rates would provide the village with increase of $123,387.

All of which were over and above the $80,000 needed to fund the new staff position.