Residents to see 2.9% tax increase

The big agenda item at this week’s council meeting Tuesday was the vote on the 2009 operational budget, which was approved unanimously by councillors.

The approved budget reflects an average 2.9 per cent increase in property taxes, and will generate $157,311 in additional tax revenue from property owners over 2008 levels.

Alterations were made to the capital budget, which councillors will vote on at the next council meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 3. One of the changes in the revised capital budget is the Activity Centre renovations, which is now projected at $4.5 million, up from $2.5 million, due to an increase in grant funding.

Another change is the decrease in the projected cost of the pedestrian underpass, which dropped from $3.4 million to $2.5 million, due to the fact that according to director of Environmental Services Ken Quackenbush, CN will make temporary bridges and train stoppages available, allowing the municipality to rely on lower cost construction methods.

Representatives of the Jasper Adventure Club for Kids (JACK) made a presentation. Terry Winkler, James Bartram and Anna DeClercq, on behalf of the program, requested $2,000 in funding from the municipality to help ensure long-term viability, they said. The money would be used for costs such as food for canoe trips, gasoline and transportation to and from wilderness adventures.

As well, council tabled a point-by-point response to a resident who presented a lengthy list of concerns and suggestions at the budget information session on Jan. 8. Council’s response can be found on the municipality’s website.

Counc. Mike Day brought up the town’s anti-idling bylaw, asking if the City of Edmonton had contacted the Municipality of Jasper for information.

In a story by the CBC published on Jan. 9, Mayor Richard Ireland was quoted as having said, “idling certainly has decreased and I think air quality has improved.” When asked by the Fitzhugh if empirical data backing up this claim is available, Day said, “Well, the car that’s turned on, it produces pollution. If a car’s turned off, it doesn’t.”

It was announced that Verne Balding, director of Corporate and Legislative Services, reduced his work hours as of Jan. 19 so he could work “half-time for the Marmot Basin Ski school on the Canadian Rockies Academy.” His half-time status, which will continue roughly until the end of March, is possible due to his inventory of banked holidays and lieu time, according to municipal manager George Krefting.

Council would not address particulars about how Balding’s work would be covered. “It’s not really a political decision,” said Counc. Brenda Zinck.

Councillors were also silent when asked about variances in their salaries and expenses list, reported in this week’s agenda.