A majority of 91原创 City council has given preliminary approval, first and second reading, to a financial plan that would increase property taxes an average 6.7 per cent.

It was less than the 9.97-per-cent increase passed last year.

For the average single-family home in 91原创 City, valued at $1.4 million, the proposed budget would result in the largest percentage increase, 6.7 per cent. 

The average strata home, at $580,000 would see the smallest hike of 5.94 per cent.

Councillor Delaney Mack was the lone vote against at the Monday, Jan. 27, meeting.

"Under this current council's leadership, we've seen unaffordable and unprecedented increases," Mack said.

The next step is the public input phase.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., there will be an informal financial plan open house at City Hall, downstairs in the lobby. 

On Monday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., the public will have a formal opportunity to come to a committee of the whole council meeting to present their opinions.

Council approved a number of additions to the base budget, which had a 4.- per-cent increase, including adding two firefighters, but decided against adding two more RCMP officers, something Mack was seeking.

Mayor Nathan Pachal cited the current dispute with 91原创 Township about sharing police costs that has seen the larger municipality serve notice it wants to de-integrate the detachment.

"Given the uncertainty right now with the building and the detachment and the staffing and everything, I don't feel comfortable, just myself personally, moving forward on this one at this time," Pachal said.

Councillor Paul Albrecht, who chairs the crime prevention committee, said the Township is continuing to grow much faster than the city.

"I think we've got more than enough [RCMP] coverage," Albrecht said.

In a separate discussion, council backed a Pachal proposal to ask the province to appoint a facilitator in the dispute, a proposal rejected by Township Mayor Eric Woodward.

Mack called on Pachal to talk directly to his Township counterpart about the RCMP issue.

"I do feel that this is a pre-emptive step, and that we need to respond with a formal counter-offer and negotiate in good faith," Mack commented.

Pachal replied, saying City staff have presented its case in writing, "which is the right and appropriate way to do it."

"I don't think we negotiate through phone calls and messages on the side," Pachal said.