Directors for the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) have given their approval to a proposed tax increase meant to benefit the 亚洲天堂 Lake Public Library, the Lakes District Museum and cultural activities in the region.
The proposed increase is now likely headed for a referendum.
It鈥檚 meant to provide a measure of stability to groups that may otherwise turn to the RDBN for grants to provide their services, said director Eileen Benedict, who represents the Francois-Ootsa Lake rural area. 鈥淲e are trying to support them in providing those services,鈥� she said.
She said that factors including cuts to provincial funding for libraries have made the increase necessary. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e in a crunch,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey need the funding.
The funding arrangement would also provide money for cultural events such as music festivals and concerts in the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake and nearby rural areas, according to a report by the RDBN.
Average increase of $62.50
The new funding bylaw 鈥� which was carried through its first, second and third reading at the RDBN board meeting on May 24 鈥� would increase taxes by about $62.50 for an average household valued at about $125,000, according to the report by regional district staff.
The tax would apply to residents of 亚洲天堂 Lake and electoral areas B and E 鈥� the 亚洲天堂 Lake and Francois-Ootsa Lake rural areas, respectively.
The maximum taxation rate would be 55 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, but the rate initially applied in 2019 would be lower, according to the RDBN report 鈥� about 50 cents. Directors would able to vote on raising the rate if service providers indicated that they needed more money, said Benedict.
At 50 cents, that would still be an increase of about 11.5 cents over the current taxation level for the museum and library, which stands at 38.2 cents of assessed value.
But Benedict said that as cultural groups benefit from a more stable source of revenue, they will become less likely to request grants in aid, resulting in a possible reduction to the tax that funds grants.
When a potential reduction in grant money is taken into account, the money taxed and spent would probably balance out, Benedict said.
Assent of electorate needed
The new bylaw will require assent of the electorate before it comes into force.
Benedict and fellow director Bill Miller 鈥� who represents the 亚洲天堂 Lake rural area 鈥� have said they want to take the question to residents at a referendum on October 20, when municipal elections are already taking place 鈥� a way to reduce costs for the poll.
鈥漌e want to hear from the people,鈥� said Benedict.
