The City of Fernie has approved its 2025 tax rates bylaw which will see a 7.46 per cent tax increase.
With the increase the city is expecting to raise $705 thousand in additional municipal taxes and $135 thousand in new construction tax levies.
It equates to approximately $212.03 for the average single family residential home in Fernie.
One of the major projects included in this year’s budget is Phase 1 of the fire hall replacement project which is expected to be about $20.5 million.
Despite the high cost of the project, Milligan says putting off the new fire hall further will add more strain on the city’s budget.
“We know this from recent history, it’s not going to get any cheaper. We need to strike while the iron is hot and we can’t kick this down the road any further,” said Milligan.
“I don’t feel like that’s a responsible thing to do for this community.”
The tax rates bylaw had to be adopted before May 15 and tax notices should be sent out in the near future.
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