Jason Luciw - Kelowna Capital News Published: February 12, 2009
A huge tax hike, courtesy of the Central Okanagan Regional District, caused board directors to gasp and wince when they first saw the numbers this week. The proposed 21.2 per cent increase, contained in the 2009 provisional budget, was quickly reduced, however, to the detriment of a parkland acquisition strategy. On average, the original hike would have added $45.46 to tax bills in the Central Okanagan. Increases varied by municipality. Chief financial officer Marilyn Rilkoff quickly pointed out though, that the preliminary budget presented the full gamut of proposed programs and service improvements only for discussion purposes.She added that she fully expected the board would pare down the number.
In fact, almost immediately after Rilkoff showed a slide proposing one means of reducing taxes, Kelowna Coun. Brian Given moved immediate acceptance. The first program to be scaled back will be the new Parks Legacy Fund, which was being created to purchase additional parkland. Originally, the regional district planned to charge seven cents on every $1,000 of a home’s assessed value. That would have been about $32 on a home assessed at $450,000. However, Given said he felt more comfortable with Rilkoff’s back-up plan of charging 3.5 cents this year, and 3.5 cents in 2010.The board agreed.
West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater added that given the current economic climate and slowed pace of construction, parkland acquisition was a far less pressing matter these days. “I know that there was agreement on all of this before but the landscape has really changed quite radically since all of this started a couple of years ago,” he said “It needs a fundamental re-look.” Findlater said the board should also have an in camera discussion to review those properties being considered for purchase.
Given the downward adjustment to the parks legacy program, Kelowna residents will now be looking at a maximum increase of $9.79 on their tax bill for regional district programs and services like 911 service, Crime Stoppers, dog control, economic development and regional rescue, to name a few. On the other end of the scale, West Kelowna residents could potentially face a much larger increase of $32.79 for added services they receive, such as waste water treatment and transit. Increases would be $29.32 in Peachland, $26.93 in Lake Country and $5.94 in North Westside.Taxes would drop 29 cents in Joe Rich and Ellison.However, Rilkoff pointed out that the regional board will make even further cuts to the budget between now and its final adoption on March 27. She will present a second draft to the board on March 19.Regional district taxes are charged over and above what municipalities bill for their programs and services.
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