New tax bylaw passes first reading, deficit projected

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio

Crowsnest Pass council has given first reading to a new tax bylaw. Council had wanted a surplus budget but after many meetings could not come up with one. The budget proposed is a deficit which falls short by $117 thousand dollars. Councillor Dean Ward says residents will not see much of a difference in taxes from last year. A deficit budget must be reported to Municipal Affairs. Talks will then be held on how the municipality will recapture the loss. It will be given one year. Council will likely give further debate to the budget next week when it is scheduled to pass the bylaw.