City proposing four per cent tax increase for 2019
North Battleford residents likely will see a tax increase next year, based on The City of North Battleford’s new proposed budget released Monday night.
The city is eyeing a four per cent property tax increase and a 4.5 per cent utility rates increase for its 2019 budget.
Finance Director Steve Brown attributed the need for the tax increase to a number of significant financial challenges in 2019 – a slow economy putting pressure on land sales, high interest costs incurred for past capital projects, and anticipated property assessment challenges for 2019, he stated in his written report.
Among some of the noteable points mentioned in the budget, the ongoing Underground Pipe and Asphalt Replacement (UPAR) program will continue again next year. The UPAR Fund investment for 2019 is set at $3.3 million, the same as in 2018.