The amount of money needed to keep the North Okanagan Regional District running 
is climbing. Directors gave three readings to the provisional 2008 budget Thursday. It includes a seven per cent overall tax requisition for the entire region. “It was necessary because of some new services being provided and the cost of doing business is increasing,” said Jerry Oglow, chairman. However, an exact impact on individual taxpayers is difficult to calculate. “Each jurisdiction is a little bit different,” said Oglow. Each community is requisitioned based on the services it receives from NORD, and that varies. In fact, the budget impact can change from neighbourhood to neighbourhood depending on what services are in place such as street lights and recycling.“The budget is subject to change yet because of several issues that still need to be resolved such as transit.”
Among the new programs are starling control in all communities and a safe communities co-ordinator for the five electoral areas. The $78,000 for the co-ordinator will come directly from taxpayers in the electoral areas. But while some parts of the budget are going up, others are going down. “The board is very conscious of reining in costs,” said Oglow. There will be a $70,000 savings within the Greater Vernon Services Committee by not having a manager on staff. Existing NORD administration will oversee the function. While there was some discussion about having a region-wide economic development function in 2008, it is not part of the budget. “It won’t be created this year because the current function is still subject to an outstanding service review.” Instead, other communities will be able to access the existing Greater Vernon economic development function through a fee-for-service. It’s anticipated the 2008 budget will be finalized in February or March.
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