MARCH 20, 2009
The residents of Okanagan Landing are again the losers. This time many Okanagan Landing residents will see an immediate rise in property taxes for 2009. In the recent past, Okanagan Landing residents have had to bear the financial burden of a sewer system of pumps and grinders. Reminders to previous Council of the City's promise to provide sewer on the same basis as other residents of the City have fallen on deaf ears. Now, functioning fire protection provided at low cost to the taxpayers is in line for a tax grab through what the City calls a 'Full Integration Tax 2009'.
1. What you should know about the 2009 Budget:
The 2008 taxes were calculated with the fire tax levy separate as it was only charged on improvements while the 2009 taxes are charged on a full integrated tax that is assessed on both Land AND improvements. In 2009 fire taxes are no longer separated, but are fully integrated into a single figure.
This means that the Okanagan Landing will see increases in their taxes immediately of 5.41% for the average property valued at $418,676 with improvements (buildings) and up to 23.22% for bare land with the same $418,678 value with no improvements. Not the $19.75 quoted by Shawn Lee! More like $51.82 to $190.26 for Okanagan Landing residents .
The 2008 budget for fire protection for The City of Vernon was approximately $4 million while the budget for the Okanagan Landing Fire Department was $213,000 with an additional equipment budget. The system of separation works--there is no need for change.
2. What you should know about the Integration of the Okanagan Landing Fire Hall:
Vernon Council is reviewing a business plan that calls for the Okanagan Landing fire hall to come under the administration of the Vernon hall. The plan calls for two unionized firefighters stationed at the Landing hall, with volunteers still actively involved in fighting blazes.
There are two issues relating to Okanagan Landing. The cost. Considering that the 2009 budget for fire protection for the City of Vernon has increased 25% from 2008, what will the increase be in 2010? Furthermore, unionised firefighters cannot give 24 hr service ..more like 6! What has changed since 1993 when the initial contract was made for fire protection in the Landing?
There are voices on both sides of the issue. There are those who say integration will improve response time and there are those who say 'it ain't broke, so don't fix it'. All must be heard except for Councillor Gilroy.
Councillor Gilroy, as former deputy fire chief with a son and a nephew in the firefighters union in Vernon, must recuse himself from any debate or discussion on the issue of integration.
Contact: Alan Hill, former Director, Electoral Area A. NORD • 545-1648 • alanhill@shaw.ca
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