.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK - Before members of the public were able to comment on a proposed tax increase during a meeting last week, it was dropped by town administration.

Town council held a special public meeting to discuss the 2009 budget before the regular council meeting last Wednesday night.

Longtime Inuvik resident and business owner Tom Zubko was one of the few people at the public meeting about the 2009 interim budget last Wednesday night. Town council held the public forum before its regular meeting started. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Mayor Derek Lindsay told the people in attendance at the meeting the tax increase was dropped because "monies were found elsewhere."

Business owner Arlene Hansen spoke to council about the now-defunct tax increase.

Hansen said she was at the meeting to represent 10 others who were not there.

"It's very difficult for young families to purchase property in town," she said. "It's not as easy as it was in the past."

She added university students are finding it more affordable to stay in the south rather than live in the North.

"We don't know what will happen with the pipeline," she told council.

"People are worried and scared. They elected you to council to do the right thing."

Tom Zubko, who also spoke to council during the public session, said he agreed with many of the points raised by Hansen.

"It's been a long time since we've seen such a potential economic downturn," said Zubko.

"People are talking like there won't be any oil and gas exploration in the region next year."

Former mayor Peter Clarkson also talked to council about the now-defunct tax increase.

"This is not the time in the NWT to get extra tax hits," he said.

Coun. Clarence Wood suggested the town look at cutting back on the bylaw officer positions that are being recruited.

"Instead of two, why not just use one officer until the October election," he said.

"It's one way of saving the taxpayers some money."

Council agreed to hold a special meeting to look into the budget with greater detail to work out more cuts that could be made.

No date was set for the closed-door meeting.