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Mill rate to increase by two per cent; tax increase yet to be determined

Rimbey town council has agreed to increase the mill rate for property owners by two per cent.

Rimbey town council has agreed to increase the mill rate for property owners by two per cent. The final tax bill for residents will be determined when the school requisition comes in which will be later this spring once the province passes its budget.

Council came to the decision at its Feb. 23 meeting after a lengthy discussion in which a higher and lower increase was discussed.

“I’m never in favour of anything more than 1.5 (per cent),” said Coun. Jack Webb, who later agreed to go with the two per cent.

Mayor Rick Pankiw’s motion to increase the mill rate by 2.5 per cent was turned down unanimously by council.

The mayor said he had based his motion on the possibility that MSI (municipal sustainability initiative) funding will be decreased, forcing council to dip into reserves or cancel capital projects.

Coun. Paul Payson suggested a 1.5 per cent increase.

“We may have to tweak the budget to make it work,” he said.

Coun. Brian Godlongton was on the fence.

“I don’t want to see it going up, but I don’t want to us going backwards. I don’t think that would be doing our job.”

The motion for the two per cent increase was passed unanimously.