Qualicum Beach council last week voted to lower their proposed tax increase because of a cutback on garbage collection.
In his report to council at Monday night’s meeting, financial administrator John Marsh said the proposed tax increase includes 2.5 per cent for inflation, along with one per cent for pavement overlay work needed for local roads.
However, because the town changed their garbage collection service from once a week to once every two, the town has saved an estimated $65,000 per year, which works out to one per cent of the tax roll.
“If the town wants to make that adjustment now, that could reduce the tax increase from 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent,” he said. “This is a service reduction, so it’s appropriate to take it off.”
Council agreed, voting to give third reading to the amended tax rate bylaw.