Local property owners can expect a 2.3-per-cent hike in their city tax bills next year if council approves the new operating budget as proposed.

Council unveiled its $81-million operating budget at its meeting Monday evening, along with passing first reading of the spending plan.

Along with the proposed increase to property taxes, residents would also pay an additional 2.76 per cent – going up to $84.41 per month from the current $82.14 – on their water and sewer bills.

They would also fork over an extra 12.8 per cent – an increase to $12.47 from the current $11.05 per month – for garbage collection.

That means anyone on the city’s water and sewer system and waste collection would pay $96.88 per month for city utilities.

The tax hike would see the average home owner pay an additional $69 next year over 2018.

The average residential tax bill would rise from $2,405 to $2,474.

Recreational fees such as passes to the Canada Games Centre, rentals and such would go up 1.5 per cent in September, as they do every year.

Along with the spending plan for 2019, there are provisional plans for 2020 and 2021 that would also see taxes rise by 2.3 per cent each of those years.

As Mayor Dan Curtis outlined in his five-page budget address Monday: “About half the operating budget is funded through taxes and the rest comes from fees and government grants, which can present challenges as a municipal government tries to keep taxes predictable for all citizens.

“Though tax increases are not usually welcome, it is a necessary action in order to cover the essential services for our growing community.”

Curtis noted the operating budget covers the services needed to keep the city running day-to-day: transit, road maintenance, snow removal, recreation programs and more.

“It ensures the City of Whitehorse always has enough lifeguards, accountants, engineers, planners, firefighters, bylaw officers and many other employees to deliver the city’s programs and services,” he said.

The mayor went on to highlight the city’s work to make greater use of technology to improve service and find efficiencies.

“The addition of a development officer leadhand position in the land and building services department will provide efficiencies to the existing permit application and enforcement processes, which have seen a significant increase in recent years,” Curtis said.

“This position will also be tasked with reviewing and implementing efficiency changes involving technology, and that integrates into a city-wide document management system.”

A utility stations leadhand will also be hired to help deal with the expansion in utility demands that have come with the city’s growth in recent years.

The provisional budget for 2020 also includes funding for a technological implementation co-ordinator that year. The person hired in that role would upgrade the city’s systems for effectiveness and allow residents more transactions online.

“Our citizens remain our number one focus, and we are making the best possible use of limited tax dollars,” Curtis said. “We are working hard to keep taxes low and maintaining top-quality services.”

Utility services are not funded through taxes, he pointed out, but rather through the fees.

After outlining the proposed utility hikes, Curtis pointed to the need to keep pace with additional costs of operating the water and sewer system and of the increase to waste collection. Dealing with waste costs money, he noted.

“Waste generation has gone up 53 per cent since 2000,” he said.

“That means the sheer volume of waste needing to be professionally handled has increased significantly. The city does not control what people consume and thus, must constantly adapt to the waste that comes into the waste management facility.

“The city is doing its best to divert waste in order to save precious landfill space and protect the environment, but diversion costs money too.”

While the city is creating quality compost, that focus on quality has meant significant and capital improvements at the city’s facility.

The mayor then went on to address recreation, noting the city’s pride in supporting the National Aboriginal Hockey Tournament that will be played here next year.

It’s expected to bring 600 participants over eight days along with 300 of their family members and 20 VIPs.

“This event will have significant economic and tourism impact on the community,” the mayor said.

Those who like to get out on their skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes are also set to benefit from the city’s operating budget, Curtis pointed out.

He highlighted the city’s commitment to take on the operations and maintenance of the improved skateboard park being designed and built by the Yukon government next year.

“Given the popularity and importance of the Second Haven skate park in Riverdale, we strongly believe it will be a wonderful improvement for our local skateboard, scooter and BMX riders,” he said.

Non-profits will also benefit from the spending plan, with grant funding budgeted at more than $1 million annually.

“With your tax dollars, our city will continue to deliver top-quality services and programs to all residents and visitors alike,” Curtis said.

“This includes snow-clearing, road maintenance, fire protection and first response, transit, park and trail maintenance, recreation programs and a number of other important regulatory services.

“Quality municipal services are a significant contribution to what makes Whitehorse an ideal place for citizens and businesses to thrive, and visitors to enjoy in our Wilderness City.”

He then went on to thank city staff “for delivering an outstanding level of service to our community.”

Full budget documents are available on the city’s website (www.whitehorse.ca).

Residents will have a chance to tell council their thoughts on the spending plan at a public input session set for council’s Jan. 14 meeting.

A report on the input council receives will come forward to council a week later. It’s anticipated council will then vote on second and third readings at its Jan. 28 meeting.

Along with passing first reading of the 2019 operating budget, council passed third reading, thus adopting, the 2019 capital budget worth up to $23 million.

Nearly $15 million of that, however will have to be approved through other government sources such as the federal gasoline tax.

See coverage of capital budget discussion in Wednesday’s Star.