District of Clearwater is considering a 9.5 per cent increase in taxes, finance committee chair Gord Heisterman reported during the Feb. 4 town council meeting.
“I know it sounds terrible, but it's a necessary step to keep to our longterm plan,” he said.
According to director of finance Sheila Thiessen, the average home in Clearwater is assessed at $193,000. The proposed tax increase would amount to $75 per year for such an assessment.
Mayor John Harwood had said at an earlier town council meeting that there are huge challenges facing the community.
He said at the time that those considering running for town council in next November's municipal elections need to be able to say No.
Two open houses will be held Wednesday, Feb. 12 in Clearwater Secondary School (2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.) to discuss the District’s budget and five-year plan and gather public input. Look for a report in a future issue of the Times.