To the Editor,
Re: ACRD budget: taxes to rise 1.26% (www.albernivalleynews.com, April 3).
As Chair of the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) Board of Trustees, I would like to take this opportunity to address the reference made in this article to the VIRL levy.
The article says that “the Vancouver Island Regional Library’s levy is going up by seven per cent this year.”
In fact, the increase is 5.95%. The 5.95% includes a 1% dedicated increase to correct deferred maintenance issues in many of our 38 branches, as well as a 1.25% dedicated increase to the redevelopment of a number of branches. While the overall increase is 5.95%, the effective increase for the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District is 5.22%. The per capita increase to the over 400,000 residents in our service area is $2.34.
The trustees on our Board, who represent 28 municipalities and 10 regional districts, work together in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation to respond to the needs and expectations of the many varied communities we serve.
Bruce Jolliffe,
chair,
Vancouver Island Regional Library
Board of Trustees