Whistler could soon see one of the most significant tax increases in its history.
On Dec. 20, council gave its assent to the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) proposed 2023 budget guidelines, which include an 8.4-per-cent increase to property taxes in 2023, along with increases of three per cent for water, four per cent for solid waste, and five per cent for sewer fees and taxes.
The property tax increase is up 0.1 per cent from the amount first proposed at the Dec. 1 budget open house, a slight bump the RMOW attributed to a $30,000 increase in Fee For Service funding for Arts Whistler approved Dec. 6.
Though everyone’s tax bill will vary based on multiple factors, the tax increase will cost about $400 for the average single-family homeowner in Whistler. As of 2023, the average single-family home is assessed at $2.9 million, up 11 per cent from 2022 values.
While the tax increase is steep, RMOW director of finance Carlee Price believes it is necessary to combat rising inflation and is in line with what most other municipalities are raising taxes by this year in B.C.
Inflation in Canada rose 6.9 per cent in 2022, the fastest and most significant rise since the 1980s.
“This is not Whistler’s problem alone. Inflation is real; it’s happening,” Price said in a presentation to council. “We are already paying prices well above 2021 rates for many of the things we purchase, and this will continue to be the case in 2023.”
Price also noted that Whistler’s taxation requisition rose slower than most other municipalities in the province despite the resort’s population growing by 70 per cent over the last decade, from 9,824 to about 14,000 people.
The budget also reduces some municipal services and the number of projects undertaken to cut costs and come to terms with the increasingly tight labour market. For example, the pool at the Meadow Park Sports Centre will reduce hours in 2023 due to a need for more lifeguard staff.
The 2023 project budget is $39,593,276, with $8.6 million carried over from the previous year. That is down significantly from the $45.7 million budgeted for projects last year, as the municipality aims to cut project spending by six per cent. Sewer and water system upgrades make up a significant chunk of project line items, as both systems will undergo significant improvements in 2023.
“This budget takes our inflationary reality seriously, it takes our climate reality seriously, it takes our housing reality seriously. I’m convinced that taking our social and economic realities seriously must guide the decisions that we make at this table,” Mayor Jack Crompton said.
“This is a really challenging time for our country, our province, and the world, and I think this money will be put to good use serving Whistlerites, which is something we are all interested in and passionate about.”
Officials will consider the financial plan bylaws at the upcoming Jan. 10 council meeting. Learn more about the 2023 budget at whistler.ca/budget.
