Some of What happened at City Hall Monday Oct 26

• Financial Manager Kevin Bertles proposed a 5.07% tax increase this morning. He said that there would be a $37.67 tax increaseon the projected average house which will be valued at $380,000.

• Indications of a projected 2007 operating surplus in excess of $1.5 million for 2 line items was revealed. (1 expense and 1 revenue).
  

• The men in Black from BCLC watched silently from the gallery after traveling many miles on the taxpayers dime as the City Council agreed to defer its decision for at least two more weeks. The deferral was a 5-1 vote and it was caused by the untimely arrival of information from BCLC that the Council had requested that was only received by council on Monday morning. Hopefully the City and Casino operator will use the time to negotiate a Side agreement for a Social Responsibility Fund if the ultimate intention is to let the expansion of Slots proceed.
• You can still roast weenies and marshmallows in your backyard. Vernon council has voted against adopting the bylaw amendment prohibiting campfires. Council voted against giving a final reading to the fire prevention amendment bylaw and instead sent it back to staff to refine. Council opposition to the campfire ban was lead by Coun. Silent Jack Gilroy who supported most of the other major changes proposed by the Fire Chief.
• There was a 6 month moratorium put on illegal suites complaints. They will still be assessed but not enforced on a fast track or in the normally efficient basis of the bylaw department. They naturally will continue to monitor and enforce safety code violations etc. The intent is to await the new "legalization of existing suites' policy expected early in the New Year.