Vernon Tax Increase in Hands of Politicians.

The 2008 budget resumed its march towards completion when the Finance manager Mr. Kevin Birtles presented the adjustments that have been made to an original 5.07% tax increase for city services. (fire not included). More than 30 changes and adjustments totaling a net decrease of $258,183 have brought the projected tax increase down to 3.49%. (1%= $163,406).

Most of these net decreases of $258,183 were made up a new increase in estimated building permit fees for a new resort restarting in 2008 of $361,014 and a net gain in overhead allocation to NORD of $320,667. This more than $681,000 in found revenue was largely off set by an increase in service level adjustments totaling $272,779 and the addition of the expenses for the O'keefe Ranch in 2008 of $190,246.

It will now be up to the finance committee on Thursday and the full council shortly thereafter to finalize the budget after they examine areas for reduction. When that is done they will have to have a public input meeting so the lowly taxpayers can examine the budget and get their kick at the can.

This budget presented by this Finance Manager is one of the most realistic budgets in this century as it recognizes more realistic revenue projections for money to be earned on short term investments and building permit increases etc. However like all treasurers they always have a little wiggle room in their budget and it will be up to the council to ask the proper questions to see if this 3.49% tax increase can not be reduced to a 0% increase. At $163,406 per point of increase, we are only $570,287 away from the 0% target that any sitting councilor would love to produce in an election year.

I will post suggested areas of the budgets that can be examined to reduce this fine staff budget to a much lower level. With the expected 5% water increases and almost 7% increase at NORD and smaller increases for our sewer, garbage utility bill it is imperative that this budget reflect the most thorough examination that this Council is capable of doing ! (remember the tax increase for Fire is still not in any of these figures.)