If Athabasca ratepayers didnít think their tax bills were high enough last year, they will be hit with an increase this year.
Athabasca town council has decided not to increase the municipal mill rate, but that will be deceiving to ratepayers as a result of an increase in assessment values.
The Town of Athabasca will receive an extra $100,000 from homeowners this year due to the increase.
Council noted that if the education tax hadnít increased, the municipal mill rate most definitely would have.
In another hit to the pocket book, residents will see a higher water and sewer bill in the coming months as well.
In order to avoid a deficit, the town has hiked rates to cover costs of repairing the lagoon.
This all comes out after a barebones operating budget was passed, which wonít leave much money for frills. With the lack of money the town has to work with, only the neediest of projects will be completed this year. Anything that isnít a necessity is unlikely to receive financial support this year.
Council will have some hurdles to jump this year as they will not have much left over money to support community events and projects.
That may not please members of the community, but this new budget will mean that everyone is in for some belt tightening.
