By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 13, 2009 4:00 PM
What the politicians giveth, the politicians taketh away. It was just on Monday that most of Vernon council agreed to a tax decrease of 0.33 per cent for the average home. But during a special meeting Friday, they reverted to the original plan of a 1.99 per cent hike. “I think you guys are completely wrong,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, who had pushed for his colleagues to decrease taxes Monday. However, those politicians who had supported a 0.33 per cent decrease defend their about-face. “We voted for it Monday because it sounded like a good deal. But we didn’t get all of the information until today (Friday),” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. Staff instructed council that putting off budgeting of new staff until April 1 and using $300,000 in RCMP reserves to lessen the tax burden could lead to a 4.6 per cent tax increase in 2010. “Next year will be a harder year for our citizens to make do,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe of the recession, adding that less construction will also negatively impact building permit revenue. It was also pointed out that any money taken out of reserves must be replaced. “We’re going through a lot of angst for not a lot of money,” said Coun. Shawn Lee of the $19.75 extra an average home will pay with the 1.99 per cent increase. The present financial plan calls for a 2.4 per cent tax hike in 2010. Spiers, though, insists any action taken this year will not affect the 2010 budget. “You can throw numbers around next year and future years,” he said, adding that RCMP reserves will be replenished through traffic fine revenue. “Times are tough but the time not to tax people is now so they can leave money in their pocket so they can use it.” Spiers also suggests that taxing both land and improvements for fire protection now will hit some people hard financially. Criticism of the budget process, which has resulted in 11 new employees being hired, was also launched by Spiers. “That’s $700,000 in new positions when other municipalities are laying people off,” he said. But Coun. Buffy Baumbrough defended the process. “As a council, we decided those positions are important to provide a service,” she said. Three readings of the 2009 budget bylaw were approved by council — with Spiers opposed — Friday. It will now be the focus of a public input session March 30. Coun. Patrick Nicol was absent Friday.
3 comments:
Those positions are important says BAUMBROUGH. She is so clever she should teach at the college.Other municipalities are triming their senior levels (bureaucraps)in these tough economic times but Vernon is increasing theirs considerably.It shows that their is a lack of understanding by most of the council who are being led by the administrator.Vernon is one of the highest taxed communities in the Okanagan and most of this council seems determined to keep it there.
But you must consider that she was a failed Liberal Candidate at one time in recent history.
Liberals/NDP specialize in Spending, they have never learned how to make a dollar and save 10 cents.
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