The Resort Municipality of Whistler has gone back to the drawing board on a proposed 4.89 per cent tax increase.
A new report to council on Dec. 15 outlining the 2021 budget guidelines proposes a reduced tax increase of 1.08 per cent.
There is no proposed increase to sewer, solid waste or water fees.
While COVID-19 has greatly impacted non-tax revenues at municipal hall, producing a sizable gap in the 2021 budget, “it is proposed that only a portion of this gap be made up with tax requisition. Rather, staff are proposing that in 2021, as the organization did in the amended 2020 budget, to under-contribute to, or draw from, its operating and other reserves,” reads a staff report to council.
The effects on reserve balances by this approach will be “muted” this year by a re-prioritization of projects and a $2.7 million “safe restart” grant from the federal and provincial governments, the report said.
The 2021 budget was unveiled at a virtual open house last month.
Find the full Dec. 15 council agenda and a link to tune in live here.
Check back with Pique next week for more from council.
