City faces regional tax hike

Mike Simmons - Salmon Arm Observer Published: February 24, 2009

Arm taxpayers may face 2.5 per cent increase on top of city's 1.79 per cent rise. Salmon Arm council will be asking for an explanation of the proposed Columbia Shuswap Regional District budget effects on the city, after being quoted an increase of more than $280,000 for general government services. Coun. Kevin Flynn said the CSRD budget process seems far different than that of the city. He said the general impression he received was “here’s your budget, now go back and tell your municipality what your budget is.” Flynn pointed out Salmon Arm’s CSRD taxes are the lowest in the region because the city uses the fewest services. He said half of the city’s transportation parcel tax would be going to the CSRD. Flynn said he expressed extreme frustration during the CSRD budget process, and added that municipal governments are carrying the cost. “Even after sitting in a whole day, I don’t think we got a proper explanation.” Flynn and Mayor Marty Bootsma represent Salmon Arm on the CSRD board of directors.

Bootsma said the CSRD process is confusing, and he can’t figure out why their general government cost has gone up. “There has never been this huge discrepancy from the previous year’s increase.” Coun. Chad Eliason said if the rise in cost is just to maintain the status quo, it shouldn’t increase on the backs of taxpayers. Coun. Alan Harrison said from his first look at the proposed CSRD budget, it appeared the increase would result in a 2.5 per cent tax increase for Salmon Arm. “We worked hard here to limit the tax increase. To have a regional tax increase of 2.5 per cent in the times we’re in is not reasonable.” Harrison said he didn’t want to interfere with council members representing Salmon Arm at the CSRD, but he would like to help. Harrison made a motion for city council to write to the CSRD, expressing council’s concern about the inordinate increase to the taxpayers of Salmon Arm and asking for clarification.