Taxes may go up, warns councillor

Mayor Gord Van Tighem disagrees

Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 22/00) - Taxes may have to go up in Yellowknife if council agrees to give more money in core funding to local groups said a city councillor at Monday evening's special budget meeting.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem

At the meeting Coun. Ben McDonald asked every presenter if they think Yellowknife taxpayers would support an increase in their taxes to fund their projects.

"Administration has said that any new money will require a tax increase," said McDonald.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem, however, said the situation isn't that tight. The new budget, he told Yellowknifer, does have room for movement in terms of special grants for non-profit organizations.

Even though raising taxes is a possibility it's the last one on Van Tighem's list of options. He said that his goal is to keep the status quo on taxes and work toward lower rates in the future.

"Myself and some councillors want the situation to be kept as is and improved upon as the term progresses," said Van Tighem.

All the groups requesting money answered McDonald's question with a 'Yes' except for Bernie Bauhaus, a representative for the Caribou Carnival Association.

Folk on the Rocks asked for money to cover travel and band expenses and the Yellowknife Seniors Association asked for more funding to keep their lunches free and cover soaring fuel costs at the Baker Centre. The Caribou Carnival Association needed added funding to smooth operations. They were all asking for an increase to their core funding.

Yellowknife Cabs asked for money to cover the purchase of a new handy-van and the Canadian Championship Dog Derby Association were asking for money for this year's Canadian Championship Dog Derby. They did not receive core funding last year.

Niven Lake suggestion

Lauren McKiel, representing himself as a taxpayer, presented city council with a written suggestion on how the city could save money, including selling Niven Lake lots for $60,000.

"This will, in my opinion, prompt the sale of all available lots and cause home construction to greatly increase in the year ahead," said the former RCMP superintendent and 20 year Yellowknife resident.

City administrator Max Hall said he'd consider McKiel's suggestion in the same way he would consider anyone's suggestion.

"Any idea (the public gives) we give it some consideration," said Hall.

Councillor Blake Lyons said the city would be better served getting advice from people in the real-estate business.

"It's better to talk to people who make it their business (selling real-estate)," said Lyons.