In what promises to be a year of ambitious capital projects, city council proposes to spend $48,449,000 next year, city budget figures show.

That compares to $47,928,600 in projected expenditures for 2005.

At its weekly Monday night meeting, council unveiled its financial plans for the next few years in its 2006 to 2008 operating budget and 2006 to 2009 capital plan, which includes nearly $50 million in spending in 2006.

Mayor Ernie Bourassa said while the city is in good financial health, costs were rising, particularly fuel and energy.

'Our residents demand value for their tax dollar, and ensuring that taxpayers get the most is not just a short-term goal,' he said.

'This is why we're submitting a three-year operating budget and a four-year capital plan that identifies expected revenues, establishes our expenditure priorities over the next four years, and outlines the funding commitments associated with those priorities,' Bourassa said in council chambers.

City home owners will again be facing a two per cent rate property tax hike, as decided in previous budgets, and water and sewage rates and tipping fees are also set to rise.

'When the Budget Bylaw receives first reading this evening, it will contain a two per cent increase in the property rate for 2006 as previously agreed to,' said the mayor.

'This will raise an additional $375,000 to help balance ... a budget and fund many of these new and exciting projects and operational requirements.

'Water and sewage rates will be going up this year by 3 1/2 per cent ... (and) we are providing for additional operating staff for utility station maintenance.

'...A phased-in tipping fee increase will move solid waste disposal at the landfill towards 100 per cent cost recovery,' Bourassa said.

Tipping fees at the dump will experience a five per cent hike per year over the next three years, he added.

Bourassa also announced, in line with Municipal Act requirements, an Official Community Plan upgrade to take place over the next two years.

'... The City is budgeting $100,000 in 2006 and 2007 to redo the Official Community plan,' Bourassa said.

Some of the bigger projects highlighted in the budget for 2006 include:

ï Nearly $6 million in waterfront infrastructure

ï An additional $2,690,000 for waterfront development

ï $1,450,000 for development of the Selkirk Aquifer as part of the city's long-range plans to have most of its water come from wells as opposed to Schwatka Lake, the current water source

ï $550,000 for Shipyards Park hard landscaping

ï $440,000 for Shipyards Park heritage restoration

ï $420,000 for area development schemes, such as the potential development of the lower Porter Creek bench area for housing

ï $385,000 for a new sewage vactor

ï $380,000 for city-wide watermain improvements

ï $375,000 for ice plant replacement

ï $361,000 for new computer infrastructure

ï $200,000 for Takhini North reconstruction

ï $155,000 for a new waterpark in Rotary Peace Park

ï $100,000 toward a new firehall at the site of the Takhini Firehall, to be completed in 2007.

Bourassa said the city is also spending $1.5 million on snow and ice removal and has plans to build a $3.5-million reservoir extension in Valleyview in 2008.

Many of the projects, according to the budget, will receive money from the gasoline tax agreement with the federal government and the Rural Municipal Infrastructure Fund.

The budget is scheduled to go for third and final reading on Jan. 30, 2006 and will be available at city hall, the Canada Games Centre, the Municipal Services Building and on the city's website.

All residents are invited to comment on the budget, Bourassa added.

The budget can be changed before council takes its final vote.